“She’s mine. All mine.”
I delight in fiery workplace romances and OUT OF LOVE, an infectiously charming frenemies dramedy featuring growly ex-Navy SEAL Foster Kavanaugh and his sassy office manager Noelle Davis is PURE PERFECTION!! This passionate, playful and deeply stirring love story hit me hard in the funny bone AND in the feels!!
While just as engaging as the other tasty confection I read by the wickedly talented RC Boldt, the uproariously funny CLAM JAM, this book is slightly angstier in tone. I love the author’s versatility--she can write lol funny and poignant tearjerker scenes with equal aplomb and her witty inner dialogue is among the most hysterical I have ever read!!
The chemistry between this adorable duo is OFF THE CHARTS hot!!! Noelle and Foster just sizzle together and I could not get enough of their verbal sparring, witty banter and combustible sparks! The two have "romantically off limits” written all over them. Besides the fact that Kavanaugh is her boss, which means workplace fraternization is a strict no-no, these two are not, I repeat NOT, in the market for love. But the libido wants what the libido wants and it's so much fun seeing them try to cover their red hot lust for each other behind their jabs, insults and razor sharp barbs!
Their combative relationship takes a decidedly more serious turn when a dangerous ex from Noelle’s past rears his ugly head and threatens to destroy the brand new life she has worked very hard to forge in Fernandina Beach. The last thing she wants is to drag her infuriatingly sexy boss into her sordid mess but there is no way this take-charge ex Special Ops hero is gonna let the sultry blond spitfire fend for herself! Nope he will gladly jump into the fray to keep her safe at all costs! But who is gonna keep he safe from HIM--an emotionally closed off man who doesn't do commitments but still cannot manage to keep his hands off Noelle's gorgeous curves or resist her sweet temptation!!
Well, love is a battlefield with this tempestuous duo and it's only a matter of time before they raise the white flag and surrender their hearts!
There is nothing more alluring to me than a strong, commanding military man, and sighhhh…Foster Kavanaugh sure has it GOING ON!. Between his gorgeously ripped bod, rugged good looks and intimidating attitude, I am not ashamed in the least to say that he makes my princess parts tingle!! But there is so much more to him than has glorious physique and potent sex appeal! Beneath his macho bluster and grouchy boss from hell persona, there is so much depth and soul to him.
As a former Navy SEAL who has found a new way to serve his country by running a private security consulting firm, he employs mostly former military personnel to get the job done. He still suffers some psychological scars from his time in service but his wonderfully intuitive service dog Harley and his close knit inner circle of military veterans are a lifeline to him. But despite his enormous support system, he feels unworthy of love and prefers his no-strings attached love ‘em and leave ‘em lifestyle! In fact, he has a “three times a charm” rule:
"I don’t go any further than three “dates.” I keep it simple because I’m not that guy—the one who’s going to put a ring on it and wait for you at the end of the aisle."
But Noelle sees through his broody, hard as nails persona to the sweet, chivalrous man he keeps locked up tight and if there was anyone who could beach his iron defenses it’s her. Before long he finds himself wishing for the impossible. Too further complicate matters, the woman he secretly covets is just as gun-shy as him and has barricades around her wounded, vulnerable heart too. No matter how utterly delicious her 24/7 self-appointed protector is, the last thing she wants is to be his latest conquest.
"If I didn’t have all this damn “baggage” that, more now than ever before, would let me unpack and discard it once and for all, I would likely have been interested in Foster. Because, geez Louise… He’s delicious. But he’s a manwhore. I don’t want to simply be another notch on the man’s bedpost. I deserve better. My vajayjay, however, is a slut, and she wants Foster. Baaaaad."
But perhaps the prickly lady doth protest too much? After years in the trenches, scoping out his enemies, he has a good read on people and sees through her act too. His heart recognizes the scared, vulnerable woman behind the flippant comments and fiercely independent persona. The woman who makes him feel ALIVE again, rouses his every protective instinct, and who aches for his comforting touch as much as he aches for hers.
GAH! I just relished the push-pull and simmering sexual tension between Noelle and Foster! Their funny, fiery interactions are laced with so much genuine feeling and tender emotion that my heart was in my throat one moment and soaring with joy the next! I was not only entertained by this captivating romance but also deeply touched by the journey into emotional healing and romantic discovery they embarked on together. There is a fierce and powerful sense of rightness between them, a soul-deep connection that begins to whittle away at all the logical reasons why they are all wrong for each other!
"I can’t lie. I think about her. I think about Noelle Davis and what it would be like if I were that guy. If I were good enough for her. If I didn’t have a past haunting me."
Now if only these two impossibly headstrong people will get over their hang-ups and take a leap of faith!
I thought there was a nice balance of steamy interludes, heart-tugging romance, cute banter and exciting peril weaved throughout. As a former Navy wife, RC Boldt has unique insight into the military life and her sensitive depiction of the challenges former service men and women face as they transition back to civilian life was very commendable! I love the brotherly bond between Fos and his fellow Veterans, and found his gutwrenching grief over his fallen comrade Hensley, and the haunting memories of what he had to do and bear witness to during his deployment to be so raw and palpable it brought tears to my eyes.
On a lighter note, I FLOOOVED Harley, Foster's fiercely loyal service dog to pieces! Sweetest, most affectionate dog ever!! And the banter with the supporting players was a true highlight! The good natured ribbing with Foster, Doc, Kane, et al, and the brother-sister bickering between Fos and Laney, with their long suffering Momma K who was forced to play referee was also a riot!!! And last but certainly not least, the Karaoke nights with the gang were FANFREAKINGTASTIC!!
In closing, OUT OF LOVE was a hands down VICTORY in my book. There was never a dull moment that's for sure!! I laughed, cried, swooned and just plain loved the hell out of every hot, sexy, sigh-worthy moment in this feel-good romance!!! And squeee… I can’t wait to find out which uber-hunky ex Special Op is gonna be featured in RC Boldt’s highly anticipated follow-up novel, OUT OF THE ASHES!
5 “Operation: I covet a Foster Kavanaugh of my own” stars!!