Too Hot to Handle

Romancing the Clarksons #1

by Tessa Bailey

From the No.1 New York Times bestselling author of Hook, Line, & Sinker comes 'a sparkling romcom that will have readers hooked' (Publishers Weekly).

The road trip was definitely a bad idea. Having already flambéed her culinary career beyond recognition, Rita Clarkson is now stranded in God-Knows-Where, New Mexico, with a busted car and her three temperamental siblings, who she hasn't seen in years. When rescue shows up - six-feet-plus of charming hotness on a motorcycle - Rita's pretty certain she's gone from the frying pan right into the fire . . .

Jasper Ellis has a bad boy reputation in this town, and he loathes it. The moment he sees Rita, though, Jasper knows he's about to be sorely tempted. There's something real between them. Something raw. And Jasper has only a few days to show Rita that he isn't just for tonight - he's forever.

'One of my all-time favourite authors!' Sally Thorne, author of The Hating Game

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Audiobook, Adult, Chick Lit

338 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 17, 2016

About the author

New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.

Reviews

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

This is what's going to pass for conversation tonight. Small talk will be my tongue flicking against your clit until you cry out my name like a swear word. My headboard slapping the wall is going to be our heart-to-heart. And that gorgeous body riding my dick is going to be our nighttime prayers. You with me, Rita?"

Ladies, guard your ovaries, because the Queen of Dirty Talk is back at it with her brand new series featuring the four Clarkson siblings and their journey to a HEA.

The Clarkson siblings have been almost estranged for many years. They love each other but their camaraderie has been strained at the very least. When Rita reads her mother's journal upon her passing and finds out that her last wish was for all four siblings to travel to NY and jump into the ocean as she did many years ago with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, she's not exactly sold on the idea. Then a fire burns down her mother's award winning restaurant and with insurmountable guilt over it causes her to re-evaluate it. And while her siblings begrudgingly agree to accompany her, the road trip is not smooth sailing. Having their suburban break down in the middle of New Mexico is certainly not something they need to help their bickering even more.

A random good samaritan pulling over his motorcycle to help them wasn't in their plan either. And neither was the instantaneous connection between him and Rita.

What is this about for you? What do you want from me?"
EVERYTHING. This acquintance with Rita was no longer some test of his worth. It was something bigger. He could feel it. "Time. I need more time with you, Rita."

Jasper Ellis used to be the town's bad boy. But he's looking for more from his life now than simply the owner of the local watering hole and bad boy rep. It takes just a glance at the brown eyed beauty on the side of the road for him to know he wants more than just a good time with her. But Rita is only passing through, so it's up to him to convince her that their connection deserves more than just a few hours spent between the sheets.

If you're looking for Tessa's signature dirty talk, you'll certainly find that here...in spades.

Welcome to show-and-tell. You're going to slide those sexy legs apart and show me where I'll have the privilege of putting this hungry cock. And I'll tell you tons read them wider.

Jasper delivers on that promise and more!

What I unfortunately found lacking here for me, was a connection with the characters. As much as I wanted to love the two of them together, their instant connection just didn't work for me. There was definitely plenty of sexual tension and push and pull between them, but I wanted more. I just didn't buy it, I suppose. For some reason they just fell flat for me. Perhaps it was because the entirety of their relationship in the book spans only three days and I'm just too cynical of a reader for that? Perhaps because at times it wasn't only their relationship that fell flat for me but the characters themselves as well. I just didn't connect with them or their romance. The sex was hot, as always, but I wanted more emotion. I also found myself thinking that some of the dirty talk was a bit too much at times, as well. Personally it does nothing for me when I read the hero referring to the heroine's clit as "sweetheart" and having an actual conversation with her. But then again, since I didn't have much of a connection with the story, I did nitpick quite a bit.

The pacing of the story was slow yet never boring, but ultimately my lack of connecting did force me to skim certain parts. Don't get me wrong, it was still entertaining, but I supposed I simply wanted more from it.

I did love the relationship between all the siblings and getting a deeper peek at that with this story. It was enough to hook me to want to read the next three books.

If you're a fan of this author, I definitely recommend the book. No reader is the same, and this may just be a winner for you! As much as I wish I could rate this a bit higher, it just didn't hit me as much as I wished it would. This is one of those times where I really wish that GR had half stars, because while it wasn't quite a 3 stars it wasn't exactly a 2 either. To be fair, I'll rate it a 3 here because ultimately I did still enjoy it for what it was. Perhaps it was my mood and coming off another book that blew me away and so my expectations were higher than normal. Read it and judge for yourself ;)

ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review

Find me on:

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tessa Bailey is a fairly new author for me, but I have read a handful of her offerings and they all hit the mark delivering both story and steam. This one, however . . . .



I expected some hiding of the salami but also expected a decent plot too. The premise here is that four siblings will be traveling cross country to fulfill their mother’s last wish. There was so much potential for that story. But then it most likely would have been a chick lit book and not a porno so I guess it’s my fault for reading it wrong. What I ended up with here was some convoluted mess about a former manwhore who has changed his ways but then falls into instalove with one of the siblings when their car breaks down on the aforementioned road trip. There’s some bizarro cat and mouse for 50% of the book featuring a whole lot of aggressive fingerbanging before the two finally seal the deal and . . . . . yeah. Not great, Bob. There’s only one type of person I would recommend this to. Those who strictly need a book that will help them . . . .



That being said, I would be interested in brother Belmont’s story, but from taking a peek at Goodreads it appears the author moved on from this series before ever getting around to him. Whatevs.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding the right path to happiness.

It’s Mother’s Day here in Australia and I managed to squeeze in a little reading in before hubby’s alarm went off to get the boys up to come in for the celebrations. For a romantic Mum like me, it was the perfect start to the day finishing off Too Hot To Handle. This little gem is WHY I am a romance reader. Some might complain that it was insta love and crazy for a couple to feel so deeply after three days of knowing each other. I say it was magic and sweet and I believe that gut instinct can set you on a path that can bring you to happiness. See, to me it’s a path and a pathway can go on and on and on. So the insta-love might be really insta-lust, but who’s to say that it can’t one day be love. Shouldn’t we all take a gamble if it feels right, doesn’t put you in danger and you have loved ones who will back you, care for you and save you if things go wrong. Too Hot To Handle is the start of a pathway for Rita and Jasper and geez it looks promising to be a yellow brick road to happiness.

Rita’s life has caught fire and is crumbling before her eyes. On national TV, the cooking show she was on sees her bow out of the competition when her perfect soufflé sags into ruin. What happens straight after is the start of her world falling to pieces. Rita returns home and goes straight back to work at Wayfare…until it burns down. Wayfare is a famous restaurant that was started by Rita’s Mum Miriam. Miriam had her own TV show back in the day and started the restaurant after the show finished. Rita was supposed to be Miriam’s protégé and when Miriam passed, Rita tried to live up to her mother’s expectations. Rita finds an old journal written by her mother. Inside are instructions for her kids to come together and travel to New York for New Year’s Day and jump into the icy water of the Atlantic. It’s a crazy idea to get all four of the Clarkson’s together and not have them kill each other. They don’t really hate each other, they just struggle to communicate. They decide to attempt it but within two days of the car trip, their vehicle breaks down…in the desert…in the middle of nowhere.

Jasper is on the way to Grandma’s house when he comes across 4 cranky bears. Not really. He was on the way to his Grandmother’s house for lunch when he sees a vehicle off to the side of the road and four people all standing around looking very unhappy. He doesn’t know why, but one of them makes his stomach flutter and his heart rate quicken. Once he determines they’re not lunatics escaped from the asylum, he takes the one who makes his heartbeat quicken back to town to get the mechanic. With a little sweet talking, he manages to find out her name is Rita and why she and her two brothers and one sister were there. The more he gets to know Rita, the more he likes her. Jasper knows they are only stopping through until the car gets fixed, but for some reason he thinks he needs a little more time with Rita…so he makes it happen.

Jasper has lived in Hurley all his life and has a reputation. Unfortunately, he’s grown out of that reputation, but the women of his town think he should go back to his old ways to service their needs. Even after two years of celibacy and limited drinking, the people in town still seems to have a very low opinion of him. When he meets Rita, he thinks she is his chance to have a life again and starts his campaign to woo her into staying.

Rita has a plan…sort of. She wants to get to New York and start again by going back to college and doing something besides cooking. With those plans in place, she couldn’t entertain the idea of staying in Hurley for a guy she has known for a couple of days. She is really attracted to Jasper and is shocked that he seems to want her too. Rita hasn’t had a lot of “experience” while Jasper has had plenty. The two of them together, brush against each other, set off sparks, repel, then get drawn back again and again. Once the magnetic connection fixes into place…IT IS HOT!!!

Oh my lordy, Tessa Bailey writes HOT!! I mean its past - reading in a room full of people and blushing - hot, it’s more like - excuse me while I step out of the room to deal with this scene - HOT. I’m blushing, my heart is pounding, and I’m IMAGINING THESE SCENES PLAYING OUT. There were at least two scenes that had me pushing my kindle to the side to take a deep breath, walk it off, jump into a cold shower AND have a stiff drink.

Too Hot To Handle was a very enjoyable read. The storyline was captivating, the heat between Rita and Jasper jumped off the pages and the family dynamics were believable. I recommend this to romance readers who don’t mind a little insta and enjoy a steamy read. Too Hot To Handle is not an epic read, but it is essential to this readers happiness. I got my fill of fairytale romance with love shot straight through the heart and a dirty talking hero who knows what his woman wants and delivers…boy does he deliver.

To purchase Too Hot To Handle from Amazon - http://amzn.to/1sltQkR

I’m an Aussie chick who loves to read and review romance, drink coffee, be a Style Setter and stalk David Gandy. To see more of my reviews, fashion, food and pervathons -

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Buried Treasure Stars

The last year of Rita Clarkson’s life has been a rough one. On top of her mother’s death, there was the infamous “knifing” incident brought on by a fallen soufflé and witnessed by millions via both television and YouTube. Then the fire that burned her aforementioned mother’s restaurant to the ground the same night Rita took over head chef duty. Top that with a strained to non-existent relationship with her three siblings and you have the recipe for a craptacular year.

So, what do you do when life hands you a shit situation? If you guessed “road trip with your brothers and sister in order to fulfill your mother’s dying wish” you’d be right!



Jasper enters Rita’s orbit when the Clarkson suburban breaks down in New Mexico and the siblings are forced to take an unexpected detour. Like all of Tessa Bailey’s men, Jasper’s all kinds of hot, alpha and dirty talking. What struck me as unique about our man Jasper was an obvious vulnerability and sweetness I’m not used to seeing from this author. As a reformed and somewhat regretful manwhore, he’s at the point in his life where he wants something more and meaningful but his reputation makes that almost impossible.

What if— to Rita—he could be Jasper, the decent soul and sparkling conversationalist? Standing right in front of Jasper was a woman without any preconceived— or hell, conceived— notions about him, and he couldn’t recall the last time that had happened.

Rita and Jasper were terrific together but not without their frustrations. Rita’s thinking only of the trip ahead of her and what’s going to happen when she arrives in NYC, so much so that she almost misses out on a life changing Jasper detour. Likewise, Jasper’s so focused on his own issues that at times he screws up his situation with Rita. Normally these things have a tendency to frustrate me as I read, but luckily both characters had no problem stepping up, apologizing and actually communicating with one another. Well, as much as can be communicated within the span of four days together but you catch my drift.

Too Hot to Handle is a solid and entertaining beginning to Tessa Bailey’s new series revolving around the Clarkson siblings. Rita’s sister and two brothers are introduced here and are pivotal to the story, but never overwhelm it. As the series rolls on and the characters spend more time together, I’m hoping we get a little more of the fun sibling stuff that we manage to catch glimpses of in this one.

”I can give you advice as one of the Golden Girls. Your pick. Do you want Blanche, Rose, Dorothy, or Sophia?”
“Why can’t you talk to me as yourself?”
"Do you want me to?” Rita covered her face with both hands. “I’ll go with Blanche.”
Peggy cleared her throat, laughing when Sage started filming with her phone. “Rita Clarkson, there will be time to weep… but not when there’s still time to take it deep.”

Those crazy ladies are still making us all better people!



Aaron’s story is up next and I have to say I’m already intrigued. He’s the Clarkson sibling I related to the least but I have feeling he’s about to be taken down a notch or two. Or ten. Good stuff all the way around.

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jessica Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars.
Both Rita and Jasper were amazing characters. I really enjoyed reading about their cute romance. Usually I can't figure out how you can love someone so quickly, but this book shows me it's possible.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Currently on sale!
https://amzn.to/2sp0N2B

1 Part Embarrassing YouTube video
1 Part Broke down car
3 Parts Estranged siblings

The perfect recipe for disaster, also known as Rita's life. After burning down the restaurant her late mother worked so hard to achieve Rita needs a break. So when she finds her mother's last wishes written in a journal she knows now is the perfect time to fulfill them. Even if it means a road trip with her brothers and sisters who can't seem to get along when all together.

Then her life gets even more complicated when they break down in the middle of nowhere and the siblings are left stranded. Enter Jasper, Rita's rescuer, who offers to take her on the back of his motorcycle to find a mechanic. But he finds her fascinating and he doesn't want to let her go and never see her again, so he only has a few days to convince her he isn't just the towns bad boy.

I really enjoyed this one and the plot was very intriguing for me. I loved that on top of getting the main characters stories we also got to know the other Clarkson siblings. They didn't take over the story in any way but they added that extra intrigue and kept it all interesting. I already know I will definitely be reading more of this series soon so I can learn more about the other siblings.

Rita and Jasper were amazing characters with their crazy sexual tension. I liked them together and their romance was sweet. The story is in the insta-love variety but honestly I didn't even realize until I stopped to think of the timeline. The connection between Rita and Jasper was just so believable and captivating that it didn't bother me that it took place in a small amount of time.

Overall, a definite recommend from me. I can't wait to catch up with these siblings again and getting more of this authors work.

Copy kindly provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelli C · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 too hard for me to handle stars

*ARC provided per publisher, via NetGalley*

Any time I can snatch up a Tessa Bailey book, I am always ready to one click. I was pretty fired up at getting the start of a new series by her as she always delivers the heat. Perhaps, it was me, but I admittedly struggled a bit with this book.

This is a story of "finding one's self." It is a journey of a family of 4 siblings with the focus on Rita Clarkson. I found the Clarkson's to be quite intriguing albeit somewhat hard to get to know. The whole clan of two sisters and two brothers were very odd and vague in description. I know there are some deep layers within each of them but their characters came of superficial. All four have unique lives and paths and they are not close as they should be. At the passing of their somewhat famous chef they live their lives not inclusive to one another. After Rita has her mother's 5 star restaurant in flames, a new path must be taken. Here comes the family road trip to fulfill a dead mother's wish for them to jump into the icy Atlantic Ocean!

I was completely prepared for a dramatic but fun filled trip across the country to NYC with the Clarkson's and maybe some of that signature Tessa Bailey sex along the way. But the very start of the trip the hot mess of a break down set up the precedence for trouble! Broken down on the side of the road and BOOM...enter a strange but sweet southwestern Jasper and his MC ridin' good Samaritan ways. Tossing Rita onto the back of his bike and into the small town of Hurley were the story would begin.

I knew insta-lust and attraction would be forefront as that is what I have come to expect with Bailey but honestly Rita and Jasper were a bit odd to me. Rita was unaware of who or what she wanted to be and in the heat of wanting to just forget, she wanted to lose herself in Jasper. Too bad for her Jasper was on a mission to be something more himself. His life of the party past and liquor induced sex roles left him with a poor reputation. He wants more than a good lay describing him. Together they bring the sexy into the story with heated talk and foreplay. The problem though is the whole dynamic and sense of MORE and urgency that occurs in just 72 hours.

I really struggled with Jasper and Rita's connection and maybe that is stemming from the fact that I really didn't "get" their characters either. Everything about them just seemed to scratch the surface. I cannot even say I have a clear description of Rita and Jasper in my mind. Other than their moments of intimacy or more like orgasm mania, there was very little reason for them to "be." I suppose you could look at it like Jasper was starting over with his new restaurant and it was a good thing that a chef broke down near his town. She needed to get back into the kitchen and he needed more than just sex so this was a win-win. However, I still felt like Rita was passing thru...she was a hard nut to crack. As for the sibling involvement, there is so much more to them that is missing and would have made it all more real.

I wish I could really explain it better but in the end I will just chalk it up to me not connecting with any character and not really feeling the story. The writing is good, as Bailey is solid but I wanted to fall in hard love with this as I did with her previous books. Many will fall hard for the quirky Clarkson's but at the end of the day, Rita Clarkson and her love Jasper...well they still remain quite obscure to me!

[Catarina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Hot Stars.

After their mother, an acclaimed Michelin star chef dies, the four Clarkson siblings, that despite loving each other are not that close, decide to fulfil their mother last wish and go on a road trip together. This first book in this series following the siblings love life starts with the story of Rita, the only daughter who followed her mother steps and is now a chef as well… expect that she is one on the verge of a breakdown.
When their car breaks in a town in the middle of nowhere, New Mexico, she meets Jasper that for some reason feels instantly drawn to her, feeling that se reciprocates. Bearing a common passion for food, things quickly heat up between them. They know their time is short, after all Rita is just waiting for their car to be fixed. They know they are both playing with fire… and when you do it, you’re bound to be burned.



If you don’t know it by now, Tessa Bailey is an auto-buy author for me. If I like the plot I never hesitate before buying one of her books because I know I will not regret. This one was just another prove of that. I know that some people will have some trouble connecting with Rita, the heroine (definitely not with Jasper because he’s swoon worthy), but being a Chef myself I can understand her drive and her reticence to slow down, so it was extremely easy for me to connect with her.
The thing about chefs is that even with all the stress and the pressure and the horrible hours, even when we are so tired that we just want to sleep for 48 hours straight, we never stop because we love it too much, both the food as the job itself. And what some readers may perceive as Rita being stubborn and maybe a little detached, I can relate with her and her passion for her work because in chef’s life you just don’t go to work and go back home after: You are your work. You live with it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
That pretty much explains why I liked this book so much. Not only because it had a crazy sexy alpha male, not only because it was steamy in Tessa’s very own way, not only because it was a really sweet romance story (bordering on cheesy at the times), but because for the first time in a very long time I found a heroine with whom I could very easily relate. I definitely recommend this book, especially if you love great food references in your books.



Rating: 4 Stars.
Steam: Hot.
Sensible Subjects: Not really.
Love Triangle: No.
Cheating: No.
HEA: Yes. With the cheesiest ending ever.

[Gi's Spot Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too Hot to Handle gave us the perfect introduction to the talented Tessa Bailey new series, Romancing the Clarksons!
With this first installment, we get a insight into the life of this problematic family, the Clarksons, and we see that they have a long road ahead of them, in order to find peace and who knows, maybe some love and passion, to spice things up.
And who better to start with than the super controlled, super strict, Rita, the oldest of the Clarkson girls?!
After a chain of bad events, Rita decides to take the task left by her deceased mother - the main reason for their emotional disability - in hand, and recruits, or better yet, summons the rest of her siblings for a road trip, with NY as final destination.
Let's just say that something tells me that this road trip will take them to a far better destination than that of the Big Apple...LOL

And first stop, by force of the mechanic gods is a little town in the middle of New Mexico, but with the best kind of hosts. Specially when they come in the shape of a handsome and apparently laid back biker, true sex on wheels!

Rita soon finds out that there are things that can't be controlled, and indeed first appearances can be deceiving!
Jasper just was someone that truly sees beyond the bad-boy/player persona, and wants him for who he is deep down, and when he meets Rita, he wants her to be the one seeing more in him than a one night stand.
They both are stubborn, and set in their ways, but also realize that all that is worth, you need to give it your all, and fight for it!

It was a great start of for this series, and they passion and love really shone trough, specially in the sex scenes, and spiced by dirty mouthed Jasper, in true to Tessa Bailey's fashion.

I can't wait for the rest of the Clarksons!!!


ARC kindly provided by the author via Forever Publishing in exchange for an honest review

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between three stars and four stars but enough for me to round up. Not my favorite Bailey book, but still good.


***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Too Hot to Handle by Tessa Bailey
Book One of the Romancing the Clarksons series
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: May 17, 2016
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley

***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***

Summary (from Goodreads):

When rescue looks like a whole lot of trouble . . .

The road trip was definitely a bad idea. Having already flambéed her culinary career beyond recognition, Rita Clarkson is now stranded in God-Knows-Where, New Mexico, with a busted-ass car and her three temperamental siblings, who she hasn't seen in years. When rescue shows up---six-feet-plus of hot, charming sex on a motorcycle---Rita's pretty certain she's gone from the frying pan right into the fire . . .

Jasper Ellis has a bad boy reputation in this town, and he loathes it. The moment he sees Rita, though, Jasper knows he's about to be sorely tempted. There's something real between them. Something raw. And Jasper has only a few days to show Rita that he isn't just for tonight---he's forever.

What I Liked:

I count Tessa Bailey among my favorite contemporary romance authors. I've read so many of her books (say, eleven including this one), and I don't think I've rated any of the books less than three stars. She writes so quickly! And all of her books are steamy and swoony. While this new book is probably not a new favorite Bailey book, it was definitely satisfying and enjoyable, and I can't wait to continue the series.

Rita Clarkson's restaurant just burned down, and Rita has just about had it. It was her mother's restaurant, and her mother recently died, leaving behind a dying wish of her four children doing a Polar Bear Plunge in New York on New Year's Day. The Clarkson clan were never close, but somehow, Rita convinces them to go on a road trip from San Diego to New York over the course of the month (starting December 1st). Rita could use the break from the stress of, well, everything. But car trouble stalls the gang in Hurley, New Mexico, where one wickedly charming man helps them with their car, and sweeps Rita off her feet. But Rita is on a road trip, and falling for someone wasn't part of the plan. Jasper doesn't want her to leave - he needs a fresh start just as much as she does.

This book is longer than most of Bailey's books, yet it takes place over several days. Jasper and Rita meet fairly quickly into the book. I like that the first two chapters are somewhat short, yet we learn so much about the Clarkson family. Belmont is quiet and stern. Rita is stressed about her future in cooking, and she is somewhat of the matriarch of the group. Aaron is a cold arrogant jerk, but there is something lovable about him. Finally, Peggy is a professional shopper who has had a lot of engagements and left a lot of broken hearts.

Rita is so complex, and we see this quickly. Her mother, a cooking genius, placed a lot of expectations on Rita. Rita wasn't born with her mother's talent, but Rita is an extremely good cook. Yet she doesn't like the pressure she's felt when cooking. So the road trip was a good idea for her.

Jasper is sweet and charming, yet a little wicked and arrogant. He has sworn off women and hasn't had sex in nearly two years, after An Incident. He used to be a ladies' man, and he has the lasting reputation to prove it. But Jasper is so much more than that, and he wants to prove to everyone that he is so much more. He is intelligent and kind and chivalrous and driven. He has a bar and he's opening an eatery - Jasper is may be feeling lost, but he has a lot going for him.

Jasper and Rita's relationship evolves rapidly. Both of them do not open up easily, especially Rita. One will assume one thing, the other will assume another thing, and both will end up apologizing. I like that they both realize their mistakes as the story goes on (versus Jasper constantly being the only one apologizing, or vice versa).

The romance was very steamy! In classic Bailey fashion, there were tons of hot encounters between Jasper and Rita. I like that, despite writing so many romance novels, all of Bailey's steamy scenes are pretty different. But always fiery!

I also really like how this book is not just focused on Jasper and Rita's relationship, but also the relationship between the Clarkson siblings. Each sibling is so unique and complicated and dealing with their own mess and misery. I can't say I have a favorite Clarkson, because I genuinely like them all. And I like seeing how their relationships with each other and overall change and grow and improve as the story goes on.

The ending is PERFECT! I was hoping it would go this way and not the other... well, it was perfect. Love!

Anyway, overall I really enjoyed this book. There are a lot of things to love, and a lot of growth/development/emotion that add depth to the story. It's not just a steamy romance novel; it's a story of personal growth (in both Rita and Jasper) and familial growth.

What I Did Not Like:

I think this has more to do with me personally than the book (but maybe not, who knows) -- I didn't like how fast the romance occurred, how fast the feelings developed. Lust, okay. But feelings/love? I suppose it's possible, but it just felt very fast to me. Why I say this has more to do with me personally - I just read a book that pretty much took place over two days, in which the hero and heroine meet and fall in love in those two days (Chasing Lady Amelia by Maya Rodale, in case anyone was interested). Great book, but the romance felt fast. NOT undeveloped, but fast. If that makes sense? That is probably my only complaint (though it weighs heavily against the story). I like how drawn-out the romance/steamy side of things was, but realistically, the emotional side to this story occurred extremely quickly.

Would I Recommend It:

I mean, I'd probably recommend just about any of Tessa Bailey's books, if you're a fan of steaaaamy romance novels. Every time I read one, there is a new story, new characters, new steamy scenes. This novel is perfect if you like road trips, charming men, and a strong sense of family in a romance novel! And steamy romance, of course.

Rating:

3.5 stars -> rounded up to 4 stars. Like I've said, not my favorite Tessa Bailey book, but that doesn't mean it was bad or anything. I wasn't disappointed! I can't wait to read Too Wild to Tame - let's see what Aaron's story is all about!

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

“I never really left. My heart stayed here the whole time.”
“It must have crossed paths with mine. It left town when you did.”

It was the Clarkson’s late mother’s (Miriam, renowned French chef) dying wish to have her four children dive into the icy Atlantic Ocean at Coney Island beach as she did when she was 18. 28-year-old Rita, the oldest daughter, convinces her other siblings Belmont, Aaron, and Peggy to go on the trip from San Diego to New York, one side of the States to the other. Their Suburban car breaks down just outside Hurley, New Mexico.

Fortunately, 33-year-old motorcyclist Jasper Ellis saves them from their predicament. He owns the bar in the town and also happens to be the “town tramp”, a title he is tired of being. He has for years sworn off women, until of course he locks eyes with Rita. Rita is eager to escape from living up to her mother’s expectations, taking after her in cooking. She sees her escapism in Jasper, and also the opportunities to face her fear. Drawn to each other, they are running on borrowed time, and Jasper has 3 days to convince Rita of forever.

OVERALL OPINIONS
Having read a condensed version of this on the Chapters Interactive Stories App in 2019, I wanted to read the real thing. Nothing compares to Chapters’ cover for it – seriously, it is absolutely gorgeous, see for yourself here .

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about, that’s one of those story apps where you have avatars, conversations, first-person descriptions – and of course interactive options of action, dialogues, and outfits along the way (for example: 15 diamonds to kiss, 12 diamonds to hug, 0 diamonds to push them away). Anyhow, they somehow made this feel like 2 different stories, and I preferred the app version more.

Don’t get me wrong. I liked the idea of the plot, the spice was excellent, but this wasn't my cup of tea. I think what happened here was the spice became the plot instead of being a single aspect of it. This is fine if that’s what you like, but it lacked depth – the other kind of depth haha, get your head out of the gutter!

I do want to check out Tessa Bailey's other works though, so hopefully I will do so soon.
Update: after reading more of Tessa's works, I am rating this a 2 star (previously rated this 3 stars)

<< Positives >>
Some aspects of the plot I did like were:
🠚 the way Jasper comforts Rita when she gets a panic attack in his grandmother Rosemary’s kitchen, remembering her mother and thinking herself a failure and not as good as her
🠚 when he tries to get her back into her passion for cooking. He had good intentions behind it, pity it didn’t go the way he hoped
🠚 the way Jasper wants to change himself for the better, mature, make a name for himself that isn’t tarnished - to the extent that his grandfather finally approves
🠚 the way the siblings all realise how much of each other they’ve missed over the years, all their quirks and things they didn’t know so their bond becomes stronger than ever

<< Negatives >>
🠚It all felt too convenient. Break down in the middle of nowhere, knight in shining armour on a motorbike, 3 days stuck there for Jasper to convince Rita he isn’t just a roll in the hay, happens to run the town’s pub but wants to start an eatery, throwing Rita right back into the kitchen that she is trying to escape.
It seemed inevitable she would stay and find a way to still be there to dive with her siblings for the new year, so the inner conflict about it being impossible to stay seemed to be a fuss about nothing.
🠚The thing that mainly sold it short was characterisation: I couldn't connect to the main characters and their relationship. everything felt at surface value, not enough depth. I didn't warm to Rita's siblings; I think there needed to be more wholesome interactions throughout the book where they all could properly click instead of the harsh sarcastic quips at each other. they only really clicked near the end.
🠚Being the first book of the Romancing the Clarksons series, and personally knowing what Peggy's story is, you would have thought it would be the 2nd book in the series. But no, Aaron is first, and he is my least favourite.

CHARACTERS
-ˋˏ ꒰ Rita꒱ ˎˊ-
Oh boy, I haven’t much to say. I felt sorry for her, at times rooting for her.
But the moment she did *that* to Jasper? nope.
"He’d worked all morning to do something nice for her—she’d repaid the man by treating him like garbage." you said it, sis. I really hated her here. I don’t think I recovered after. Took her long enough to realise she was really fumbling the bag.
*⁀➷ Favourite quotes
• “I’d rather see someone’s worst than their best. Saves time.”
• It could have been the cool blue of Jasper’s eyes—the lack of judgment there—or the sudden lack of strain after her flashback. Maybe even the dancing. She didn’t know. But words passed from her lips, quietly and without permission.
• Ohhh. And the crowd goes wild. Well, technically it was her loins going wild. Not because she was a sucker for sweet one-liners. But because his words felt genuine. *He* seemed genuine.
• Her own life’s recipe hadn’t called for him as an ingredient when she’d left San Diego.

-ˋˏ ꒰ Jasper꒱ ˎˊ-
Despite the motorbike and Matthew McConaughey looks I’d not be drawn to him in real life. He felt superficial. And there’s something about the “I’m trying so hard to be a gentleman right now but I really want to get my leg over you” thing that irks me. It makes sense for the character he is and his well-known history in town, but having self-control is the bare minimum of standards, if even that. That side of him and some of his controlling side is not it for me.
Of all lines, I cannot picture him deadpanning saying “you’ll look me in the eye while I’m ringing your bell.” I chortled because what on earth was this?
🠚 But when he is a gentleman, he is so lovely! Him giving her the nickname “beautiful”? Love that. Letting ladies go first? Love that too. Bonus point for leaning on the doorframe. And another bonus for tipping the hat. Aaaand another bonus for hand on frame.
*⁀➷ Favourite quotes
• No one like Rita would pass through this place again, and she’d gifted Jasper with her time. She wouldn’t be sorry about that. He wouldn’t let her be.
• Jasper Ellis was the god of sex. And—and—he was way, way fucking more than that. He was everything underneath the sex. An understanding, funny, caring, insightful man who’d only been attempting to break through to her.
• “It’s so good because I love you, Rita,” Jasper confessed through stiff lips. “It’s good because you love me back. Fuck the amount of time it took. When it’s right, it’s right. We’re above time.”

-ˋˏ ꒰ Peggy꒱ ˎˊ-
I love Peggy, and she loves her innuendos just like me. I probably also relate to her the most because we are the same in age.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review



Tessa Bailey once again proves to her readers that she can deliver a romance that is sexy, funny, witty, and ridiculously entertaining!!! And in her newest release Too Hot to Handle, Tessa opens this book with a fiery explosion. Literally, the roof is on fire and I’m not kidding. Sparks are flying and Rita Clarkson just burned down her mother’s Michelin star restaurant and the only thing that she could do was watch it go up in smokes.

With a whisk and her mother’s notebook in hand, Rita Clarkson just watched the restaurant that she inherited from her mother burn to the ground and her career go up in flames. And to make matters worse, her siblings shows up. Rita loves her siblings but they get on each other’s nerve and haven’t kept in touch. And so when Rita shows them their mother’s dying wish that each of them travel to New York and jump into the ocean on New Year’s Day, Rita decides that this must be something that they must all do. And so begins the crazy adventures of the Clarkson siblings, Belmont, Rita, Aaron and Peggy.

Like any typical family, you put four strong personalities in one car traveling from California to New York, you would expect lots of bickering and for the Clarkson clan, there is no shortage of that. But one thing is for certain when trouble arises, the Clarkson siblings have each other’s back. And so when their Suburban breaks down somewhere in New Mexico, a good samaritan comes to the rescue.

When Jasper Ellis spots the Clarkson family stranded, he decides to help them out and also catches the eye of Rita. Right off the bat, Jasper is intrigued with Rita and tries his best to charm her. Since the car will take a day to be fixed, Rita and her siblings are stuck in this small town. And so when Jasper invites Rita to his bar, sparks and sexual tension is in the air.

Welcome to show-and-tell. You’re going to slide those sexy legs apart and show me where I’ll have the privilege of putting this hungry cock. And I’ll tell you to spread them wider.”

As Rita and Jasper gets to know each other, it was only a matter of time these two finally acted on their sexual attraction. Knowing his time with Rita is short, Jasper tries his best to keep Rita and her siblings to stay longer in town even if it means delaying the repair of their car. As much as Jasper wants to keep Rita in town, he knows the choice lies solely on her. Will Rita realize love when it’s standing right in front of her? Or will she let her fears stop her from truly living the life she wants?

Too Hot to Handle was one of those sweet romantic reads that weaves elements of family, understanding and second chances. Tessa Bailey not only gave readers a love story but she allowed readers to feel the depth of a family coming together. So if you are looking for a story filled with humor, honesty, romance, and second chances then I would recommend you give this book a try and I seriously can’t wait for Aaron’s story and his trek in finding love and new beginnings.



Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages: http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...Tessa Bailey

[Lana Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I pushed myself through this one.

It was unrealistic, over the top and way too dramatic. Plus ridiculous details (see the updates) made it hard for me to appreciate the setting and the story. Maybe I'm too obsessed with details and maybe I expect too much from my smut recently, but FFS, some realistic facts would not hurt any story.

Oh well, I'm still gonna read the other ones in the series, because... Ms. Bailey.

[Rebecca (life's chaotic catching up) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Cute, funny, well written. Not a complete winner for me bc I am not a fan of insta-love trope but if that’s your jam this will probably check all the boxes.

[Karsyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

dnf'ing at about 70%

I am so bummed. I love Tessa Bailey's books so much and have recommended some to all of my friends, and they've all loved them too. I was so looking forward to this series. It quickly went downhill when I started this. I feel as though I missed a prologue or maybe an entire book? I checked so many times that this was the first book in the set, but it still all felt like gibberish. Up until the point I stopped, the book felt so stagnant and stuck, which seemed ironic given that the sibling characters are stuck in a small town. I didn't feel any chemistry between the romantic leads beyond a casual hookup (which they both, internally, kept saying to themselves that they didn't want... but repeatedly self sabotaged externally). It felt like going in circles, with no end in sight, no character growth, nothing but miscommunicating and a "I don't want to talk about how you just hurt my feelings or how I'm actually feeling about you, so lets just fck."

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a matter of twelve hours, everything had changed. Everything.
What else could she have expected after committing arson?

Being the daughter of the famous chef, Miriam Clarkson, has never been easy for Rita Clarkson. Her life has been a series of failures and triumphs, and things haven’t improved since her mother’s death a year ago. What should have been her moment to prove her worth on national TV, instead showed her as a knife-wielding psycho. And now her mother’s restaurant has just burned down. With the last motivation she needed and her mother’s last dying with in the journal she left for Rita to find, Rita convinces her siblings to go on a road trip to New York so that they can jump into the Atlantic on New Year’s Day, hoping that she would find something she wouldn’t fail at. But the road trip doesn’t lead Rita to a new job, a new life away from a kitchen, instead it leads her to Hurley, New Mexico, when their car breaks down. And to Jasper Ellis, the town’s bad boy.

Jasper Ellis has quite a reputation in his home town, and one he wish he could change. For the last two years he’s been trying to prove to himself and to everyone else that he’s more than Jasper the party guy, who was only wanted for a good time between the sheets. And the instant he sees Rita on the side of the road, his reactions to her is totally unfamiliar to him, but he wants nothing more than to spend time with her, to get to know her, and hopefully she would want to get to know him too. But how can he do that when she’s leaving as soon as their car is fixed. Luckily Jasper has no problem with stooping to devious levels to ensure their stay in Hurley for a few more days.

The more time Rita and Jasper spend together, the hotter the fire between them burns. But how can Jasper convince Rita to stay, when she’s determined to leave?

Jasper Ellis was the god of sex. And—and—he was way, way fucking more than that. He was everything underneath the sex. An understanding, funny, caring, insightful man who’d only been attempting to break through to her.

Rita was awesome, and so relatable with her insecurities and fears. I love her grunge look and her shyness and feistiness.

I need so many things and they all begin and end with you.”

I absolutely loved Jasper, and how head over heels he was about Rita from the beginning just made me swoon. I loved that he used underhanded methods to ensure that the Clarksons had to stay a few more days, because he wanted to spend more time with Rita. So romantic ;-) Jasper wanted so badly to be seen as more than his playboy past, to be wanted for himself and not just what he could do in bed, and I loved that he wanted Rita to be that woman.

“I’ve considered you,” she sobbed. “Of course I have. Just stop talking like that for a second, stop stealing my breath when I’m trying to catch it.”
“No.” He pressed their foreheads together. “I don’t want you to catch it. I want it to stay lost and I want to be the man who steals it. All day, every day. Forever. Stay with me right here.”

Instant attractions is like catnip to me, and I freaking loved it in this book. Both have so many insecurities and hurts that it caused quite a few misunderstandings in the beginning but it also forced them to open up to each other quicker. Their romance was so sweet at times and their chemistry so scorching, and Jasper’s dirty talking made me all hot and bothered ;-D

I loved all the Clarkson siblings, how interesting and different they are from each other. There’s Belmont, the oldest, who is so quiet and broody, and who has quite a weirdly intense connection with Sage, his sister Peggy’s best friend; Aaron, with his politician looks and personality, who believes he doesn’t have a heart; Peggy who is a man magnet except for the one mysterious man who was the only one she wanted, but who rejected her. And I can’t wait to read their stories.

I freaking loved this book! Tessa Bailey writes super sexy romances, and this was another winner. A must read for all who loves sweet and wonderful romances, with very hot sexy times, and engaging characters.

[Sam I AMNreader · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 30%

So for a reader who unapologetically loves Beautiful Stranger (and the series for all its flaws, to be honest, but here that book feels most appropriate) -things that could be flimsily classified as romance or erotica or smromance, what made this too ... meh and creepy for me...

I love dirty talking heroes. I love intense sexual connections, and yes,insta-lust. But this book is a weird combination that I just can't quite get on board with. From the second meeting, we have the hero telling the heroine "I don't know you well, but I know you won't take shit" (Or I'm paraphrasing) but WHY, WHY does he know that. (And no thanks)

And why does he feel like a creepy leering guy who wants to but can't quite keep it in his pants. And no matter if I said "I came here for you to fuck me," I feel like I'm a little turned off my just pussy-grabbing in the back room, just me? And the development of the characters was boring. I don't have anything else to say on that...Maybe it's a case of failed execution for me....

[Syndi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too Hot to Handle is really too hot. In the smutt department. I am not expecting less that sizzle burning hot from Miss Bailey. I like my romance hot just like the other readers. It's just the plot/ story is not interesting.

I have to admit I sort of dozed off in the middle of the story because the plot is boring. The majority of the story is filled with so much hot sex scenes.

Anyway, I do like the hot stuff but wanting more of the story.

3 stars

[Ashley G. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is my 5th book by this author and by far my least favorite, not even going to read further installments. The characters didn't grab me and the story line was weaker than her previous works. Just not for me

[Kayla Barnhart · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is one of the worst books I’ve ever read

[Misha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasper is my ideal man: 50% yeehaw 25% himbo 25% emotionally intelligent. What more could you want? That's my husband right there.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Tessa-has-a-waaaay-about-her Stars!!!!!

I don’t know what it is….but I know that I can’t live without her.

Her men are so classic, almost iconic, and I can’t help but love them. Her brain is classically dirty. She is able to capture these moments and write them so well that I feel like I’m right there.



A man who woke up, stretched his flexing biceps over his head, scrubbed a hand down his abs, and grinned before getting up to drink coffee naked in his kitchen. Because why spend one unnecessary moment dressed? And speaking of clothes, the warmth coming off his tucked-in flannel shirt rivaled the sun. She would bet anything that if she sniffed the material curing around his shoulder it would remind her of snuggling into pajamas fresh from the dryer.




As I was reading this book, I finally figured out one of the many reasons why I love her writing so much. She is an artist at writing similes and metaphors. They are always the most eloquent or poetic, but they make me understand EXACTLY what that character is thinking or feeling. Most of the time, I smile and highlight them, and that’s why I love her books so much….because of all the smiling. I truly believe that Tessa Bailey is underestimated because she is a powerful writer, so I don’t underestimate her at all. She can write anything, and I’ll read it. She emotes, but it’s not always elegant. It’s raw and blue-collar and makes me FEEL ALL THE FEELS!!! Tessa, I would read your grocery lists.



Promises dug like tiny tractors in his gut, excavating vital components of what impulse directed him to say, leaving messes behind.





The 4 Clarkson siblings are on a road trip to fulfill their mother’s wish for them. They are not close siblings so there is automatically tension between them. When the car breaks down, of course Jasper is riding by on his sexy motorcycle. Tess is the queen of insta-lust, alpha-male, dirty-talker who wants his woman.



”Play offense,” he demanded in her ear. “Push down into it. Fuck yourself up against it. I’ll help you get where you need to go, beautiful. You answered the door begging for something bad from me. So that’s what I’m giving you. You and this sweet, neglected pussy. Now fuck your vibrator.”




My Jasper: (without the cig)

Jasper Ellis was a twenty-ounce hanger steak with a side of garlic mashed potatoes.



My Rita:



Jasper is the owner of the Liquor Hole (get it!), the local bar. He is a reformed playboy trying to be good and responsible now, but his reputation precedes him. As he starts to pursue Rita, he can’t escape the playboy stigma.

Rita is a little black sheep of the family. She is a chef who tried to follow in her mother’s footsteps, but felt like she was never able to measure up. I loved watching her transform her strength and how Jasper helped her get there. Jasper and Rita think they only have a day together until the car is fixed. Well, due to some unexpected events each day (I love all of this), they end up getting a few more days together, enough time for the 4 siblings to help Jasper open his new restaurant.



”….stop stealing my breath when I’m trying to catch it.”
“No.” He pressed their foreheads together. “I don’t want you to catch it. I want it to stay lost and I want to be the man who steals it. All day, every day. Forever. Stay with me right here.”





I fell in love….with this whole family! I feel like I already have a clear picture of who each sibling is, but I know Tessa is going to pull out so much more in each book. I cannot wait to learn more about every single one of them. If you like series that involve brothers and sisters and FEELS, then you will love this book. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It is different than Tessa’s other series, and I can’t wait to jump into Aaron’s book.

One word….BELMONT. And Sage! Gah! Of course, Tessa is saving his book for last! But I know I will enjoy the journey.


Find me on

[Misha Ahuja · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOCE LOCE

[❤️ Dorsey aka Wrath Lover Reviews ❤️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 “Too Hot To Handle” Stars!!!

Rita Clarkson and her three siblings want to honor their deceased mother's last wish, so they pack up the old suburban and set out on a road trip from San Francisco to New York City to participate in the polar bear plunge on New Year’s Day, just as their mother had done many years earlier. Rita is having a hard time lately, she has just (accidentally…sort of) burned down her famed mother's restaurant where she was head chef, and had a mishap on a televised cooking show that’s made her an unwilling YouTube star, she is definitely at crossroads in her life so she plans to stay in NY and go back to school to learn something new.

The siblings are all very different from one another, we’re introduced to Peggy the outgoing one, Arron, the Politician, and Belmont the quite introvert. They’re not close siblings, and Rita is hoping this trip will bring them closer together. Their trip comes to a halt in Hurly, New Mexico when their car breaks down. Luckily bad boy biker, Jasper, comes along and saves the day. The moment he sets is baby blues on Rita he’s smitten and aching to know her much better.

Jasper’s in the process of changing his life and his seedy reputation. He has a well-deserved manwhore reputation and no one in his small town takes him seriously (he named his bar “Liquor Hole”). So to be taken seriously he is opening a new restaurant “Buried Treasure” and has been celibate for the past two years because he really wants something more in life and to finally be taken seriously….and now he wants Rita.



Jasper wants to have a real relationship with Rita, he knows it isn't rational since they just met, and she'll be only in town for a few days. Rita has no real relationship experience and she’s very skeptical that Jasper could want her as much as he seems to, she’s really insecure and has a very low self-esteem. But Jasper doesn't want to just sleep with her, he wants her forever, and he sets out to convince her to stay in town for good, to believe in them and to take a chance on him. The more time they spend together, she finds they really are good together and Rita finally feels right emotionally, Jasper feels right to her, and the small town even feels like home.

All-in-all, I found Jasper’s dirty talk a bit OTT but I liked the story in general especially the first couple of chapters. The siblings are a very diverse bunch, not really sure how I feel about them, but I’m somewhat curious, not totally invested, but I just may have to read the rest of siblings' stories to appease my curiosity.

*ARC Provided by Publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Alyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romancing the Clarksons
Too Hot to Handle (Book 1)
Too Wild to Tame (Book 2) *Available September 2016

Too Hot to Handle is the first book in Tessa Bailey's new Romancing the Clarksons' series following four siblings on their journey to reconnect as a family and (MAYBE) find their HEA's along the way.

The Clarkson siblings have always had a weird relationship with each other. They love each other, but they never had super close relationships/bonds with each other. But one thing that could NEVER be denied was the love they all had for their mother. And when Rita Clarkson finds her mother's journal stating her last wish for her four children, they begin a cross country drive to complete their mother's wish, only to brake down in No-Where-Town, New Mexico.

On his way to his grandma's house for some lunch, Jasper Ellis comes across the four Clarkson siblings. Jasper is IMMEDIATELY drawn to Rita, but he's not quite sure why. He knows that they are only passing through town and will leave the minute their car is fixed. But the more time he spends with Rita, the more he realizes he needs more time with her. Rita is the first person to see him beyond his playboy reputation and wild party ways.

So.... what is a guy to do when the woman of his dreams is about to drive off without him??

After an EPIC televised melt-down and the burning down of her mother's prized restaurant, Rita is hoping this trip to New York with her siblings will help her determine what she wants to do with her life. All she knows is that she wants to be DONE with cooking and restaurants. And it DEFINITELY doesn't include staying in Hurley, New Mexico any longer that it takes to get her car fixed.

But fate might have other plans for the second oldest Clarkson sibling... Will Jasper be able to convince her to stay with him or will she drive off with her siblings to head to New York?

Too Hot To Handle is the first in Tessa Bailey's Romancing the Clarkson's series. The storyline is enjoyable, the chemistry between Rita and Jasper leaps off the pages, and the Clarkson's family dynamics add greatly to the story. I you don't mind a (somewhat) "insta-love" story, then I fully recommend you get a copy of this book!

Rating: 4 out of 5

**I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange of a honest review.**

OTHER PLACES TO FIND ME:
Blog: http://alysenovak.blogspot.com
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/AlyseNovakBlog
Twitter: www.twitter.com/alyseypoo21
Bloglovin': https://www.bloglovin.com/alyseypoo21
Google+: https://plus.google.com/+AlyseNovak
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/alyseypoo21

[Katie (spellboundbooks_) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars | 2 spice

Okay I HATE to say this... I HATE TO SAY THIS - because I am a Tessa Bailey STAN and will preorder everything she writes....

But this one .... while I know it is an older work... is just not it. I'm officially sticking to only Bailey's new works because I was CRINGING at this one...

There was absolutely no chemistry between Jasper and Rita. NONE. Jasper's supposed to be this tough playboy from a small town and Rita's supposedly like this goth? (idk she only wore black or something) tough cooking girl. It felt like this was a forced relationship and there was so much miscommunication that I just was done with this the second it started. But f*ck me and my inability to DNF a book so I had to see it through.

FIRST RED FLAG - was when our man Jasper, supposed sexy rugged flannel-wearing motorcycle man, chose to drink a GLASS OF MILK after a beer at dinner out with her. WHAT? IMMEDIATELY GO TO JAIL. Because if a grown man EVER drank a glass of milk at a RESTAURANT while on a first date with me I would have gotten up and left RIGHT THEN. Immediate turn off... immediate do not pass go, go straight to JAIL.

SECOND RED FLAG - the cringy "dirty talk". There are so many things I could say but I will leave it for you to cringe with me with these two quotes:
- "But this time you'll look me in the eye while I'm ringing your bell."
- "Get it done, so I can get you done." "Oh my god, oh my god," she chanted.

Then comes in the siblings who we are SUPPOSED to care about because obvi the rest of the series is about but I HATE them all. I can't think of the broody brother's name but he's over here snorting like a goddamn caveman over the wedding planner girl and just silently FOLLOWING HER. NO THANKS. Aaron is just annoying and so is Peggy.

I will not be finishing this series. Sorry Bailey, I love you but not this book. Bailey fans - skip this one so you stay a fan of her. I still will be preordering every new book she comes out with. But I will be ending my quest at reading every older book she's written with this one.

[Megan]

DNF page 30

[Jennifer J Knorr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book

[Lover of Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceToo Hot To Handle is the first book in Bailey’s “Romancing The Clarksons” series, and to be honest I wasn’t super eager for this book. Unlike many readers of Tessa Bailey, I haven’t really enjoyed the books I have read from her. She is really hard to get into her books, the writing just isn’t engaging enough for me but lately I keep hearing so many podcasters rave about this author so I decided to give her another chance with this series through Audio. Now at first, I admit I wanted to DNF because this narrator is not whom I would have chosen for this author but I decided to stick with it for a couple of hours and I eventually became drawn into this story and I am glad that I did with it.

Too Hot To Handle begins with our heroine, and her siblings whose mother has recently passed away and left behind a journal. Rita Clarkson, is the one that took after her mother in the cooking department. The Clarkson mother was a infamous chef and Rita took after her although Rita always had to work much harder to become the chef she imagined her mother wanted her to become. But then when their mother’s resturaunt burns down, Rita convinces her siblings to go to the east coast to fulfill the wish of their mother so they all jump into a car and on their journey to the east coast, their car breaks down in New Mexico and they are rescued by Jasper Ellis who is drawn to Rita. There is some powerful chemistry between Jasper and Rita. And with their car broke down in this small podunk town, Rita and Jasper try to fit everything they feel for each other in just a handful of days even knowing they don’t have much time together. Rita will need to make a decision a new life somewhere else or stay with the man she loves?

I found Too Hot To Handle to be a sexy romance and I really loved the whole small town setting that Bailey creates here. I love small town settings so what Bailey creates here for this story was super fun. I really loved the whole city gal with the country boy mix up here. And they make such a great match. I do want to say that Bailey creates some great sexual tension between Jasper and Rita. Jasper is such a sexy hero and yeah he definitely is alpha in the bedroom for sure. I had a blast with his character, he is such a mix of strong yet respectful toward Rita unless he is in the bedroom and he likes to be very “bad” but its a delicious bad that I really was drawn to. Rita is so self controlled so I liked how she let herself go with Jasper in the sexy times. There is a pretty good balance of romance and smexy times and I enjoyed seeing how it was handled in this story.

I will admit that this story, although enjoyable, wasn’t too impressive. It felt “average” to me, I did love the differing personalities between the siblings and I was very intrigued with seeing how they interact with one another and I definitely will be reading more of the series in the near future because I find myself intrigued by these characters. But the romance between Jasper and Rita wasn’t too memorable, and even though I liked it, I didn’t necessarily love it. But we shall see what future books hold.

Overall I found Too Hot To Handle a enjoyable and slowly satisfying romance that is hot as the desert and will sate your hunger for some delicious smexy times.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kitty's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 stars

About three chapters in of Too Hot to Handle and I was worried there was going to be too much angst in this book for me to enjoy it, but I was so wrong. Without a doubt this is a love story between two people, but it is also a love story of four siblings trying to move past their awkward relationships with each other with a little help from their deceased mother, it is the story of a man trying to make the grandparents who raised him proud and it is the story of two people learning to see past their fears and the mistakes they've made in order to accept the love they have for one another. This is a deeply emotional book; however it is not without its comical moments, a few profound ones and some incredibly sexy ones and when all rolled up together they equal a superior romance.

After accidentally burning down the restaurant her famous chef mother left to her after her death, Rita Clarkson is trying to figure out what is next in her life when she remembers her mother's wish that she and her three siblings do the New Year's Day Polar Bear challenge in New York City. Given that she and her siblings aren't what you would call close getting them to agree should have been difficult but soon they are on the road with the promise of a few stops along the way, however and unscheduled stop for car repairs changes Rita's life forever in more ways than one.

There were so many fantastic moments in this book from the four siblings building a relationship unlike anything they'd had before, to Rita meeting and spending time with Jasper, a local bar owner and once the town's man slut, to the both of them finally seeing their true selves, to them both accepting they are capable and worthy of love.

Rita and Jasper had their challenges including the fact that Rita plans to keep going on the road trip with her siblings and fulfilling her mother's wish for them. Jasper's vow of celibacy makes him want to do right by Rita and take things slow unfortunately Rita sees this as rejection. The fact that their time is limited to the amount of time it takes to repair their vehicle creates different problems for each of them. As this book takes place over a matter of days, yes you could claim this is an "insta-love" story, but their connection is deep, it is easy to feel their love and by the end there is no doubt these two will live a long and happy life together.

Each and every moment in this story was special, these characters are unforgettable and it is impossible to finish this book without thinking about how the rest of the Clarkson siblings will find love. Too Hot to Handle by Tessa Bailey is a not to be missed book.

Review copy provided for an honest review.