An Irresistible Force

Handymen #2

by Rosanna Leo

FROM AWARD-WINNING ROMANCE AUTHOR ROSANNA LEO Book two in the Handymen series She needed a safe place. He was determined to give her one. TV landscaper Eli Zorn has always been a fixer. But when a family medical situation teaches him there are some things you just can't fix, he's desperate to return to work for a distraction. The demolition of an old cottage in tranquil Muskoka, Ontario, is just the ticket. Unfortunately, a gorgeous woman has handcuffed herself to the cottage and she won't let it go down without a fight. Bernadette ‘Bernie' Nolan has history with the place, and she won't let Eli and the Handymen team get their hands on her refuge. The cottage belongs to Eli's mentor. Not only is Peter Nolan a giant in the landscaping business, he's also Bernie's uncle. And it becomes clear very quickly that relations in the Nolan family are more than strained. As Eli and Bernie grapple with old loyalties, they are determined to see each other as the enemy. But this is one attraction that cannot be denied, and one that they're losing the will to resist...

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance

337 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2020

About the author

Rosanna Leo writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her novel A Reluctant Attraction, Handymen 3, is one of Oprah Daily's 50 of 2021's Most Anticipated Romance Novels. Follow her on Bookbub here: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/rosan...
From Toronto, Canada, Rosanna occupies a house in the suburbs with her husband. A mother to two grown sons, she spends much of her time wondering where all her time went. A great lover of felines, she enjoys being chased around the house by her cat, Lucy. When not writing, Rosanna works for her local library, where she is busy laying the groundwork to become a library ghost one day.
Connect with her at www.rosannaleoauthor.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[Briar's Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Irresistible Force by Rosanna Leo is an absolute delight and continues to be one of my fave, new series!

Rosanna Leo is one of my recent favourite romance authors. Her books feel real, honest but also completely adorable. I get whisked away from the craziness of our world and into a fictional universe that could easily be my own (I am Canadian, so the location isn't too far off).

An Irresistible Force is the second book in the Handymen series. It's a truly marvellous series that follows some Canadian handymen (shocker, I know) who have a home building/renovation show (think Property Brothers). I am a sucker for romances that remind me of Property Brothers, so this book series is perfect for me! Also, who doesn't want to imagine sexy men building stuff and being all romantic? It's great.

Anywho, time for the review:

This book brings Eli Zorn, one of the fantastic brothers who is a landscaper, into the lead. He mets Bernadette "Bernie" Nolan, who's a bit eccentric (and becomes a monkey wrench in Eli's plans) but is trying to protect the house and land the boys are working on. Peter Nolan, Bernie's uncle and Eli's mentor, is a giant in the landscaping business but it starting a wee bit of trouble for the both of them. These two tussle and tango up in Muskoka, Ontario in a fantastic romance that will remind you good things come to those who wait and life isn't always what we expect it.

There's so much emotion and feeling in this book but there's also so much romance and comedy. It feels like the perfect mix for someone who wants to disappear into a book. We have sad moments, awkward confrontations, moments of fury, and some of the best romantic comedy I've seen in a long time all tied up in this book. There's also some of the best quotes I've ever seen, such as "Saved by the chicken dance!".

The ending will make your heart swell, especially if you like HEA romances. This series is all around great and I highly recommend it to romantic comedy fans.

Five out of five stars.

I received a free copy of this book from the author, Rosanna Leo, in exchange of an honest review.

[Sarah Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my holy god, this book is AMAZING! I am a huge fan of Rosanna's Handyman Series and absolutely LOVED A Good Man, the first book in this series. I have been waiting on the edge of my seat for book #2, and it was worth the wait because this book delivers. It has a feisty heroine, a sweet and protective hero, and a forced proximity enemies-to-lovers trope that is my personal catnip.

Eli Zorn has a home renovation series with his two other brothers and is the landscaper expert. When they're tasked with demolishing his landscaping mentor's old cabin to build a whole new house, Eli is eager to get to work. But then Bernie comes along and throws a wrench in their plans. She's chained herself to the inside of the house (she's Eli's mentor's niece) in protest of the demo. She will stop at nothing to disrupt her uncle's plans and expose him for the person he really is.

This of course kicks things off in a very unpleasant way for Eli and Bernie. There's conflict from the get-go, but there's also an undeniable attraction between them. Their banter is so cute and funny. I was seriously smiling the whole time I read their conversations.

Eli offers to stay at the cabin to keep an eye on her when filming is disrupted by Bernie's protest--and when a massive thunderstorm comes rolling through (I freaking ADORE when weather forces the love interests to be together!), they start to actually enjoy each other's company. And even though they're on warring sides of this issue, the two of them slowly start to bond and find common ground (the were both bullied as kids, and Rosanna handles this sensitive topic with such respect, I applaud her).

I don't want to give too much away, but the slowburn in this romance is incredible. And their love scenes are off the charts hot. There is a steamy scene involving work boots!! COME ON NOW that's crazy hot.

There is so much heart in this story too. Eli and Bernie have some emotional conversations that bring them closer together. Rosanna Leo always strikes the perfect balance between heart and heat in her books, and this one is no exception.

Highly recommend this romance to anyone who loves slowburn, steam, heart, and enemies to lovers tropes! Do yourself a favor and preorder it NOW!!

[Donise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book grabbed at my heartstrings and I was almost crying by the end. Bernie and Eli recognize a kindred spirit in each other when they find out that they are both victims of bullying in high school. Eli first encounters Bernie when he finds her handcuffed to the central pillar in a cottage that belongs to her uncle and that is fixing to be destroyed. Eli is tasked with trying to talk some sense into her and it is during their discussions about the house that he learns about her being bullied by her uncle's son. Eli also learns that Bernie works for an organization called Empower that helps kids learn how to deal with bullying. She had tried to buy the property from her uncle so that she could turn around and build a campsite on it for a Camp Empower. Eli and his brothers soon learn that Peter, Bernie's uncle, isn't the guy that they thought he was and they switch gears.
Bernie cannot believe that a man like Eli could want to be with someone broken like her, but she soon learns that he has her back and that not only is he there for her, but that he believes in her dream because he is a victim also. Bernie learns that Eli was bullied during high school, but she doesn't learn how badly it affected him until the night of his class reunion. Eli is afraid that once she learns the entire truth that she will not want him to be a part of her life any more. Bernie is afraid that Eli's feelings for her won't last forever. Will these two broken souls find their happy ending?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[PlotTrysts · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 really solid stars for An Irresistible Force! We may like our romance on the historical side, but we sometimes make exceptions. And we can't promise anything, but we can say that if a contemporary romance features a behind-the-scenes look at a reality TV show starring three hot handyman brothers, then it's likely a book we'll make an exception for. ⁠

An Irresistible Force starts strong with some great main characters. We really liked the Canadian setting, the mature protagonists, and the villains who get what's coming to them in the end. And we'll also add that if you have a thing for work boots, you may want to check this book out.⁠
⁠
Laine's 34-word summary: If in the course of sticking it to your horrible uncle you HAPPEN to meet your tv crush and you HAPPEN to fall in the mud and he HAPPENS to have a shower.... yeah⁠
⁠
Meg's 34-word summary: When your childhood cabin/safe space is going to be demolished, why not chain yourself to a load-bearing pillar inside? Also a great way to ensure forced proximity with the really hot demolition crew.⁠
⁠
Our objective review was based on a complimentary copy of the book.

www.linktr.ee/plottrysts

[Laurel Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to get to read an ARC of An Irresistible Force, and the book lived up to my anticipation in every way. Eli’s combination of protectiveness and compassion, as well as his willingness to believe Bernie, melted me. Bernie was a wonderful heroine; it was easy to root for such a determined character. Also, the family cabin angle hit all my nostalgia buttons, and the handyman parts are as delicious as they were in Handyman #1. The romance was emotional, hot, and believable. I appreciated the content warning about the characters’ histories of being bullied, but I found the sensitive topic to be deftly handled. It’s likely impossible for a resolution involving bullying to make all readers happy, but the ending of this one worked for me personally.

[Karla Kratovil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet & Sexy! Rosanna Leo hits the perfect balance of melt your heart and melt your panties! Eli Zorn certainly lives up to his nickname. This was a lovely story of two people who both struggled with bullying in their pasts and found a safe loving space with each other. I loved this book.

[Helen (Blissfully Bookish Besties) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Irresistible Force is an amazing read. Well written and heartwarming, Eli and Bernie's story had me hooked from the very first page. I'm loving this series and can't wait for book 3!!

[Atlanta Whitlock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really excited to give this book a read by Rosanna Leo because Eli had caught my attention in book one, and I just loved that we got to read his story. I think that Rosanna did a really great job with this book as she gave Eli the story he deserved but also she wrote about such a sensitive topic… Bullying is such a big thing, and there’s a lot of people out there in the world that do get bullied and it either makes or breaks them. I love how she went into detail and didn’t do it lightly, because not everyone understands what it’s like to be bullied and honestly I can relate to this story so much because I was bullied but wasn’t ever able to do anything about it, and whilst I felt alone whenever I did tell anyone nothing ever got done about it and it would just carry on and on.
I think that Rosanna has approached this subject impressively and I enjoyed getting to read Eli’s story and learning a lot more about him.
If anything I have to say out of all three brothers Eli is my favourite, there’s just something about his calm nature that draws you in.
Overall, I think that this story was written and thought about perfectly. It was easy to follow and the story just drew you in, I couldn’t put the book down and just kept reading till the end.
I can’t fault this book at all, and I’m excited to read Nick’s story as it’ll be interesting who captures his heart considering he likes to portray himself as a ladies man.
I’d recommend giving this series a try as I’m enjoying it quite a bit at the minute.

Eli is the calm and collective one of the three brothers and everything seems to be going well for them, it’s been a while since Michael found Emily and the brothers are getting ready to start work on a new contract… It’s a client that Eli has known for years and looks up to, and once the work is complete on this house Eli should be getting a 6 page spread in Peter’s magazine.
Yet, when they get to the site, they end up stumbling upon an issue… It seems that there’s a woman handcuffed to one of the poles in the house but the catch… she’s Peter’s niece. With Peter determined to have the house demolished and rebuilt and his niece wanting it saved, who will win??? Will their family be more split up than ever??? Will Eli and his brothers be able to do the job they set out to do??

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review is really just an Eli Zorn appreciation post.

Kidding. Sorta.

I didn’t realize I needed a series about contractor brothers falling in love one by one, but I apparently did and I’m grateful to Rosanna for giving it to me.

In the second book in her Handymen series, middle brother Eli is reeling from a family health scare. Determined to throw himself into their next renovation project, which promises career benefits and a reconnection with his mentor, Eli is taken aback when there’s a literal woman handcuffed to the support beam of the place they’re supposed to be tearing down. And she refuses to budge.

Bernie Nolan refuses to give up the place that’s been her safe haven—not only does it hold good memories for her, but she has plans to turn the place into a refuge for others. But with her smarmy uncle side-stepping her attempts to buy the property outright, Bernie takes matters into her own hands. She’s not going down without a fight.

Immediately I loved Bernie. She’s so SNARKY. As you read, you come to learn that it’s often a defense mechanism for her, but her dialogue is so zingy and sharp and she was just a delight to behold from the jump. In contrast, Eli is the gentlest of the Zorn brothers—the peacemaker who smooths out difficult situations and keeps a cool head. Which of course means he’s the one tasked with trying to convince Bernie to vacate the cabin so the show can get a move on the renovation.

But as Eli spends time with Bernie, he comes to see there’s more to the situation than meets the eye. And there’s more to Bernie, too—and their chemistry is quick and incendiary.

When I realized past experiences of bullying would play a big role in this story, I wasn’t sure how that would pan out, but I think it was handled really wonderfully, with a thoughtful grace and seriousness that I think sometimes is overlooked when it comes to the subject. I really appreciated that.

I also loved the chemistry between the MCs. Eli and Bernie were characters you wanted to root for independently as well as together. Rosanna Leo made all my dreams come true in one particular scene in this book (there is BANGING AGAINST A WALL AND ELI IS IN HIS WORK BOOTS) and I’ll be thinking about it until my dying day. Sigh. What a gift. According to Goodreads, I had like 29 highlighted sections in this book and while some were definitely Bernie’s zingers, others were parts where I was like 🥵🥵🥵

I gulped this one down super fast and couldn’t wait to start the next one. All the same, sad to be so near to the end of a really great series so far.

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book just completely sucked me in! I loved learning more and falling in love with Eli Zorn and totally understood Bernie's attraction. Bernie, herself, was an interesting dynamic character and watching the two help each other be better people was simply wonderful. I'm so glad they had it each. So much goodness in this book!!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 STARS!!!
Fantastic book! I am blown away by this author! An Irresistible Force is only the second book I've ever read from Rosanna Leo and it is an understatement to say I am impressed. The first book in this series, A Good Man was amazing as well. That book was original and real. I know the research this author went to, to make everything flow with the subject was spot on. In An Irresistible Force, the subject research was even more obvious. This book was about the consequences of bullying and the residual effects that bleed into adulthood. Both the hero and heroine had been bullied when they were in their early teens. Everything, that the author wrote was realistic. I hate bullies. I believe we have all been bullied at some point in our lives; by family, by friends, and even by strangers. I admit, I've been there. Not to the extreme that is talked about in this book but it was enough to scare me. I looked over my shoulder many times. I am so thankful for the crew of friends I made during those years because they helped me see I am strong, and loved. Once my self-esteem grew, I easily brushed off the negativity and when the bullies got no reaction, they left me alone. So, anyway I just spewed all that to say I know what it feels like and my connection to the H/h is strong.

Bernie and Eli were amazing together. You knew right away there was chemistry. However, both these amazing characters had walls as tall as a fortress around them. I am not going into any details of their relationship. I will tell you this couple takes their time, getting to know one another before even a first kiss. As a reader, given the premise, I truly appreciated the anticipation because I knew when the moment came, Bernie and Eli would melt my Kindle. This book has many feels to it. Personally, while feeling a range of different emotions throughout, my strongest were empathy and anger. That said, by the last chapters I was gloriously happy the way things were happening. Every aspect of the story is realistic, yet entertaining and infinitely endearing at the same time.

I mentioned earlier that the first book in this series was amazing. While I loved that first book, I love An Irresistible Force even more. I can't even imagine how the author will top this. The next book is Nick's; the last Zorn brother to find his happily-ever-after. I can't even imagine what the premise of that book will be; all I know is I will be standing in line for it. I highly recommend this series as must read. These are the books that come along only once in a while. You won't want to miss them. Trust me. I just want to mention that while there may be triggers for some readers, the bullying was referenced in memories or discussions between the H/h throughout the story.

This is my honest and unbiased review and I thank you for taking the time to read it. :)

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another exciting read in Rosanna Leo’s Handymen series! Each Zorn brother has been equally captivating - can’t wait to get to know the third brother even better!

[The Word Nerd Reviews Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Irresistible Force is an emotional tale of facing the trauma of your past and being determined to come out the winner. Following on from The Good Man, this story follows the middle Zorn brother, Eli, the landscaper of the group. Enjoying an opportunity to reconnect and work with his old mentor, Peter, he meets Peter's niece, Bernie, and learns that not everything is always as it seems. Bernie's tough as nails exterior hides a traumatic past, and it is her damaged soul that calls out to Eli's equally traumatised inner self.

Although the story sounds heavy, it's not. It does have its emotional moments, but it is also filled with this author's signature humour, interesting and well-developed side characters, a good dose of heat and sexual tension, and of course the Zorn brothers.

In An Irresistible Force Rosanna Leo is once again showing her willingness to embrace the thorny issue of childhood trauma and the long-lasting effects it can have on a person.
In An Irresistible Force, we are presented with two characters who were survivors of childhood bullying.

Bullying is one of those subversive behaviours that is often misunderstood, because if you were not a victim, or had a close relationship with someone who was, it's challenging to understand that the ramifications of being bullied can follow you well into adulthood. The 'just get over it' mentality is powerful and only puts more pressure on the survivor to 'be normal' and 'just forget it'. As someone who was bullied throughout school, and as someone who still regularly battles the demons from that time (I'm in my 40s), I can fully empathise with both Bernie and Eli.

But this author takes it one step further. It is easy to sympathise with the victims and see the perpetrator as the villain, but the cycle of bullying, that bullies are often bullied themselves, is well acknowledged by psychologists. While this in no way negates the bully's behaviour, it does allow another viewpoint, and it is a sign of a good author when you can feel sorry for the 'bad guy'.

I thoroughly enjoyed An Irresistible Force; it hit all the sweet spots for me. It was emotional without being too intense; the subject of bullying was treated sympathetically but not condescendingly, it did not diminish the inner strength of the survivors; there was a lot of humour and many light moments to stop the story becoming too heavy; and there was a palpable chemistry between Bernie and Eli.

All in all, it was a fantastic read, and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a romance with well-developed characters, strong world-building, and a thought-provoking storyline.

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy home renovation shows, this is definitely a romance you'll want to read! Eli is a TV handyman who is more interested in the work than the tv fame and the latest assignment for his crew involves renovating (mostly tearing down and rebuilding) a family cabin. The only problem is that the niece of the owner, Bernadette, has a fondness for the place and doesn't want it destroyed. She's even offered to buy it from her uncle and as a last resort she's handcuffed herself to a support inside. Eli has a lot of empathy for Bernadette but his hands are tied too - she doesn't own the place and the owner is an old mentor of his. This sets them up for a classic enemies to friends to lovers romance.

While on the surface Bernadette and Eli are at odds, they share some similar childhood experiences with bullying that have permeated their adulthood. For Eli, it was being bullied at school and an upcoming reunion has him torn between with how to handle it. For Bernadette, it was bullying by her cousin, with her uncle Peter, the owner of the cabin and father of her cousin, giving him tacit permission. She knows a very different Peter than Eli does, and over the course of the story Eli comes to understand that the man he knew and respected is really a facade. I like what the author does with the bullying stories, showing realistic possible outcomes that help Eli and Bernadette finally move on. Of course, as they share their experiences they become friends and then let the attraction between them move them into a sexy, somewhat secret affair. Eli is a decent, hardworking, nice guy hero and Bernadette is a compassionate and likable heroine and together they make a great couple. The background setting of the renovation show makes for a fun set up and the end result for both the show and the romance is worth the read. It works well as a standalone romance but is part of the larger Handymen series and I look forward to reading more!

Note- a copy of this story was provided by the author.

[Anise Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was no way I could resist AN IRRESISTIBLE FORCE! The second book in Rosanna Leo’s fabulous Handymen Series tells the story of Eli and Bernie, two beautiful souls I was rooting for from the very start. Leo has built a rich, fascinating world with the Zorn Brothers’ home improvement TV show, and the Handymen Series is populated with good-hearted but complex characters who readers will grow to love. In this book, it’s Zorn brother Eli who is thrown together with the angry and passionate Bernie in a tense, adversarial situation rife with fantastic banter and delightful moments that had me laughing out loud (think Hepburn and Tracy!).

An author who never shies away from tackling difficult real-world issues with courage and heart, in AN IRRESISTIBLE FORCE, Leo gives an incredibly nuanced and sensitive portrayal of bullying from all perspectives, exploring both its long-term effects and different pathways to healing. While Bernie and Eli have unique, strong personalities, both of them also struggle with childhood trauma whose effects have followed them into adulthood. Their 100% relatable shared histories have made it hard for either of them to trust, leading to quite a bit of heart-squeezing push and pull between them. But because of this adversity, when they find their way through the pain of their pasts and embrace each other fully, the connection is deep and satisfying. Throw in a provocative pair of work boots and marvelous, crackling chemistry, and the romance between them is sheer delight.

From the unexpected beginning and enemies-to-lovers deliciousness, to suspenseful mysteries and a potentially devastating secret, AN IRRESISTIBLE FORCE pulled me in from page one! I know I’m always in great hands when I pick up a book by Leo, a master of the craft whose signature style shines through in this brilliantly written series.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

First things first; I love the cover of this book!
An irresistible force is the second book in the ‘’handymen’’ series. I devoured this book in one sitting and was satisfied throughout. I found the writing style easy to follow, the characters likeable and the storyline entertaining. Eli Zorn is the middle Zorn brother and is the landscaper in the team. When they get a new project Eli ends up working with his old mentor. This job could really put his team/career/business on the map. What he doesn’t expect is for the project to get halted before it even got started. Bernie Nolan isn’t willing to let her bully of an uncle tear down the family cottage. Taking extreme measures, she stages a protest and refuses to leave. With Eli tasked with the job of getting her to move, will he see her reasoning.
The chemistry between Eli and Bernie is clear to see and I liked the build up to them getting together.
I liked that Eli and Bernie shared similar backgrounds. They had both been tormented by bullies which left a lasting effect. i liked that the shared experiences kind of bonded them a little more.
I loved how fierce Bernie was. She was stubborn and didn’t back down for no one. Her love for the cottage and the memories she had there was clear to see.
I understood why Eli was annoyed at the situation but I wanted to shout at him at times. He got glimpses of the true Peter yet didn’t have much of an issue because of a loyalty that wasn’t really owed.
I really hated Peter and Randy. I hated the way they treated Bernie.
I really liked the ending and the epilogue for this story.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and it is an enjoyable read. I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

[Behind Closed Doors Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amount of sex 2 / 5
How explicit are the sex scenes 2.5 / 5
Story 4.5 / 5
Overall: 4.5 / 5

An Irresistible Force is the second book in the Handymen series written by author Rosanna Leo. Each book in this series tells the story of a different couple and can be read as a standalone romance. However, I do recommend reading the books in order. I believe it will give you a better foundation to understand and appreciate this storyline. Just know that it is a suggestion.

An Irresistible Force tells the story of Eli Zorn and Bernadette “Bernie” Nolan.  Eli is the landscaper on the home improvement show called Handymen along with his two brothers Michael and Trent. The show’s next episode will be helping Eli’s mentor, Peter Nolan, who is an expert in landscaping. The Handymen are planning on demolishing Peter’s old family cabin and building a new one in its place.  The only problem is Peter’s Niece, Bernie. She disagrees with the plan and has pleaded with Peter to not do this.  The cabin holds a lot of memories for her, so she decided to handcuff herself inside the cabin.

I really enjoyed the storyline, and I had a hard time putting my book down. It was emotional, heartwarming, and even funny at times. I loved how the author approached the topic of bullying, as well as how Eli and Bernie confronted their past. Oh, and I just loved how the story ended!

Voluntarily Reviewed a Gifted Copy

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply put, this is an around great contemporary romance in a great series. While it can be read as a stand-alone, if you haven’t read book 1 of the Handymen series (A Good Man), I Strongly Suggest grabbing it up and reading it first as the characters and storyline do overlap and it will make for a much better reading experience.

The author has written a very well written romantic storyline with characters that are down to earth and very believable. In it have the quiet protective Eli and a headstrong stubborn sassy Bernie. They meet when Eli and his brothers show up on a demolition job site and find Bernie chained to a beam inside the home, protesting it being torn down. She is determined to save the only safe haven she knew as a child. While Eli can sympathize with her story, in more ways than one, he has a job to do and the legal rights to do so.

From this point the story took me one heck of an exciting journey. A journey packed with quick witted banter between two characters that have overcome a lot in life. The story is a slow burn romance that will warm your heart and have you rereading it time and time again.

2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars.

[Kat Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Irresistible Force is just that: irresistible. It's so full of heart and sweetness and is basically the perfect comfort read. Eli and Bernie are totally charming together and their romance has it all: banter, mutual care and respect, heat, and humor. They have a playful way about them that's so whimsical and refreshing--they absolutely read like two people falling in love who make sense together despite the obstacles they face.

The little moments they share bring their story to life in all of its beauty (I'll never forget that Shame Flowers poster! :)), making for a relationship that's impossible not to root for. The author tackles heavy subjects with sensitivity and grace, and we see how both Bernie and Eli's pasts have shaped them in ways that make them perfect for each other. The supporting cast delights. A thoughtful, sweet, hot story that's a joy to read!

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Rebecca Goss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eli is the middle Zorn son and a part of a trio of brothers on “The Handymen” a television show that renovates homes and their gardens. Eli was elated to work on the garden of a cottage that would land him a spread in a magazine. He was shocked to find a woman handcuffed in the home, in protest of the demolition. He is assigned to watch Bernie when her protest and storms slow progress. They discover that they share a history of trauma, which has been brought forth recently. They are also very attracted to each other. Eli is easy to love. Bernie is quirky and closed off but cares deeply. Their relationship is sweet, genuine and passionate. I loved this second installation of the series as much as the first, maybe a little more. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This storyline is about bullying and the affects just an FYI.

--If you're a fan of HGTV then I highly suggest reading these books , this is book 2 in "The Handyman Series" this follows landscaper Eli Zorn who's such a cinnamon roll, he's so caring I really liked him alot, their was so many laugh out loud moments with the witty banter between the main MC's as much as the main heroine Bernie was so sassy she almost comes off abrasive using that as a cover, she's scared of letting people in after being hurt 💔 I so enjoyed the bond between the Zorn siblings. I legit got anxious while reading and had to take a break because I didn't know how the storyline would go eekkk. We get loads of sexy moments with a touch of angst moments of vulnerability as well, the scene with work boots was chef's kiss

Thank you so much to the author for Providing me with an ARC in exchange for a Review.

[Donna Sweeney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kindly provided with an ARC by the author in exchange for an honest review......

This was Eli and Bernie's book and what a great tale it was !!!. Eli is just such a gorgeous soul and when you finally peel back the abrasive layers of Bernie she is perfect for Eli.

This book is chocked full of wit, drama and PLENTY of twists and turns to keep you GLUED (well I was !!) to your kindle. Certainly this book was an "irresistible" read !!! I Loved reading the banter between the Zorn crew !!!. It can be quite the emotive read this book but it was well worth the lip wobble moments !!!

Many thanks Rosanna !!! Fabulous read !!!

5 "hand cuff" my smile to this story line Stars from me !!

Later peeps xxx

[Tai Nelson-Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two of the Handymen series is just as sweet and wonderful as the first one. In An Irresistible Force, we get Eli's story and I have to say I could not put it down.

Rosanna took this story to a difficult level but kept it enjoyable. I am sure every person that will read this book will have dealt with the issues that go on in this story. Some times it was hard to read this book because it brought back memories of my own issues, but it is just what this book needs. It brings the family issues to light and helps connect Eli and Bernie in a more emotional way.

I highly recommend this series. I have yet to be disappointed by Rosanna Leo.

[Suzan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it had some sensitive issues involved and I really feel for Bernie & Eli as I suffered from bullying in my childhood as well. I thought these issues were handled very well and I love that the characters got some resolution! Bernie & Eli were perfect for each other and they certainly have an interesting 'how we met' story to tell!! I can't wait for Nick's story! I also kinda hope that maybe Lacey will get a story, even if it's within a story as I feel she's earned her happiness too!

[EssexReader92 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story from Rosanna Leo. It's a hot romance, with an incredibly powerful backstory. It deals with the topic of bullying and shows just how much it can affect you, even through your adult years. It's a great story of finding the strength to overcome that and how finding the right person can help with the journey. Rosanna has obviously spent a lot of time perfecting this story, and you really get sucked into the book. I couldn't put it down.

I received a free review copy of this book from the author, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Kay Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in The Handymen Series
I havent been able to read much this year as my head space has been all over the place. This is the first book I've read in months and it delivered like Book 1.
Story was sweet, had moments that mad eme sad, and the steaminess was well worth the wait. Another great read from this author.
I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily offered to leave a review.

[The TBR Pile *Book review site* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their romance was one of those slow burns that works so wonderfully in those Hallmark movies (some of my favorites). This was definitely not sweet like those movies those. The sex was off the charts hot! Wow. I need my husband right now, kind of hot! I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Full review - http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/...

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I. LOVED. This. Book.

The snark. The tension. The laughter. The *steamy* sex. The healing. Ugh, my heart.

Bernie Nolan is taking back her life. The first step? Stopping at nothing to prevent her uncle and The Handymen crew from demolishing her family's summer home. Including, but not limited to, handcuffing herself to the house and resisting the very sexy middle Zorn brother as he tries his best to convince her to leave. Eli just wants to build his garden. He wasn't looking to get stuck in the middle of his old mentor's family drama. He definitely wasn't looking to feel a pull towards the woman in ponytails and handcuffs in the middle of the floor he's supposed to be demolishing. But the more time Eli and Bernie spend together, the harder it is to resist the attraction between them. Soon Eli has to decide whose side he's on and what - or who - really matters most.

Bernie is the epitome of the prickly heroine. After years of being bullied by her cousin and his friends, Bernie learned to fight at a young age and hasn't stopped since. She isn't about to trust Eli Zorn just because he's always been her favorite Zorn brother and her nickname for him is Panty Melter...or that he's even sexier in person. Bernie fights Eli at every turn, until suddenly she doesn't have to. As Bernie slowly lets Eli in, she'll have to fight against her own fears if she wants to keep him.

Eli is supposed to be the even-tempered Zorn. The negotiator. So why does Bernie push every single one of his buttons - the good and the bad? There's just something about Bernie that he can't stay away from. And when Eli learns Bernie's history, he can't simply push it aside; he knows firsthand the impact bullying can have on your life. Throughout the book, Eli is also forced to confront how his own perceptions of people differ from the experiences of others and reconcile what those differences mean for him and those around him.

Though Rosanna Leo doesn't shy away from heavy topics in An Irresistible Force, she also brings what I've come to recognize as her trademark sense of humor to Eli and Bernie's relationship. They get goofy and laugh and have fun together. Plus I love the playful family dynamic between the Zorn brothers that started in A Good Man and continues into An Irresistible Force!

I could go on, but honestly I'm surprised you're still with me. Especially since you should be off reading this book! Because it's worth it. And there's wall sex. With work boots on...only work boots.

I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun romance! Loved the reality TV angle. Deals with serious issues but the romance is definitely the focus.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

When TV Handyman Eli shows up to demolish her family's lakeside cabin, Bernie takes a stand - and Eli's heart. A romance with heat & healing.