Barely Behaving

by Jennifer LaBrecque

The moment veterinarian Niall Fortson spies Tammy Cooper sunbathing in the nude, he knows his new neighbor is naughty-- and a knockout! With a bad reputation and a bad attitude, Tammy has trouble written all over her. And though Niall isn't looking for a scandal, he can't resist her. Luckily Tammy has a solution to cure them of their mutual case of lust-- a two-week secret affair.

Tammy soon realizes the boy next door is almost more man than she can handle. And she's enjoying handling him--a little too much. After all, someone with her track record is all wrong for a guy dreaming of white picket fences. Still, Niall's determined to be more to Tammy than just a boy toy. And with the way he makes her feel, Tammy's inclined to let him convince her....

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

ebook

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

First, let me say this is how I show up at my desk every morning to write. Dahling, I couldn’t possibly write a word unless I was wearing 3-inch heels with a Martini at hand. NOT!!! But it’s so different, and face it, infinitely less scarey than the way I usually work, running shorts and t-shirt with a cup of tea nearby, that I had to put this picture up.

I’ve been an avid reader ever since I was growing up on a farm in south Georgia. At that time I dreamed of writing poetry while living in The Big Apple and traveling the world. Fast forward, bypassing lots of not-so-glamourous jobs such as barbeque joint waitress, telemarketer, and corporate numbers cruncher, to today’s reality. I write contemporary romance, live in The Big Peach (ya know, Atlanta), and I’m working on the world travel.

I actually live in the suburbs with my husband, daughter, three cats, two rescue greyhounds, and chihuahua who bosses the whole house.

Writing is one of the best jobs in the world and one of the most miserable–depending on which day you’re asking. However, obviously the best outweighs the most miserable or I wouldn’t be working on that next book. So, here’s the straight skinny on the good, the bad, and the downright ugly.

(from her website)

Reviews

[Christa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely Behaving was entertaining to read, but I didn't find it to be nearly as good of a book as the others I have read by LaBrecque. The book had a great, sensitive hero in Niall Fortson, but I had a difficult time relating to the heroine. Tammy Cooper was the self proclaimed, thrice divorced, bad girl of her small Georgia town. For me, a three times divorced heroine is not particulary appealing in a romance novel. The wonderful beta hero is what salvaged this book.

Niall Fortson has just ended an eight year relationship because his live in decided against marriage. Wanting a new start, he moves to a small Georgia town where he buys an established veterinary practice. He inadvertently sees his new next door neighbor sunbathing nude, and is instantly attracted to her. Tammy Cooper's third divorce has just become final and she is settling nicely into her new life as both a homeowner and proprietor of her own massage business. She is convinced that she will never have a lasting relationship and is only interested in finding an appealing man for a temporary affair. When she meets her new neighbor, Niall Fortson, she believes he may be just who she needs for her "Mr. Right Now." The strong attraction between them quickly results in a steamy interlude. Afterwards, Tammy convinces Niall to agree to a secret affair which will end in two weeks. Niall is reluctant to consent, as he immediately feels that there is something special between himself and Tammy, but he knows that it is the ony way to continue even a temporary relationship. After a very passionate two weeks, Niall is unable to convince Tammy to give them a chance, and he knows that she will have to come to terms with herself before they can find happiness together.

This book was very quick to read, and I enjoyed it because of the sympathetic hero. Niall came across as caring and sensitive, yet still strong and protective. He was a very appealing hero. As I read the book, Tammy Cooper became mostly likeable, but her continuing refusal to let someone as wonderful as Niall close to her became annoying. That coupled with her past left me feeling that she just didn't really deserve this hero. This book was fast paced and entertaining, but didn't quite live up to the others I have read by LaBrecque.

[Fedora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh, I loved this one.

Tammy is a triple divorcee who has finally gotten herself where she wants to be--she's finally feeling like she knows and likes who she is, and she's got her own place and her own business. She knows being alone isn't the same as being lonely, and she never plans on getting married again. She knows she's made more than her share of mistakes and doesn't plan to make more of those! She knows she's earned that bad-girl reputation, and while she doesn't plan on continuing to be that bad girl, she also doesn't apologize for having been wild.

Niall's just moved to town to be the new vet, and he's delighted to meet his new neighbor. The gossips warning him off of the town bad girl don't scare him--he's never felt such chemistry and connection before. He's thrilled when Tammy seems to feel the same way and agrees to a two-week affair to try to burn out this heat, but as the two weeks passes, he realizes he wants WAY more.

I really enjoyed the connection between Tammy and Niall, and loved how Tammy's really risen above her past. She hides her hurt behind that sunny smile, and I love how Niall is able to see past her glam exterior to the sweet, generous person inside.

Incidentally, Tammy is Olivia's sister from Barely Mistaken, and it was fun to get a little peek at Olivia too :)

Can't wait to continue through Ms. LaBrecque's backlist!

[Sherri Bryant · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn't work very well for me. It seems to lack substantial plot and I couldn't get past the characters sleeping together practically from the moment they meet.