*** 1/2 - Wow, Victoria Dahl sure knows how to write hot sex - even if it wasn't my style *fans self*. And at the same time, I thought the story was remarkably sweet (and the suspense subplot bothered me less in Start Me Up than in Talk Me Down). Lori Love always dreamed of leaving her tiny hometown of Tumble Creek. But when a nasty accident left her father in desperate need of medical care, Lori put her plans of European travel on hold and became tiny Tumble Creek's new auto mechanic. Lately, though, with debts piling up and a new investigation into her father's death, Lori needs an escape from Tumble Creek and an adventurous new lover. And that's where absent-minded but talented architect Quinn Jennings comes in - he's terrible at relationships, but a man that Lori can trust to get her engine revving (sorry about the pun... I had to).
I really liked both of the main characters; Dahl has a way of writing people's unique characteristic way of expressing love that really works for me. In Talk Me Down, she had Ben take those beautiful photos. In Start Me Up, it's the way Quinn describes Lori as if she were a work of architecture. It's unique and fitting - I'll never mix that scene up with another love scene in another novel. It's just so true to the characters.
I was less enamored of Quinn's anger as a sign of his growing feelings toward Lori. I mean, there was a perfectly realistic and logical explanation for it. He tends to hide his feelings about most people, but he finds it difficult to control his emotions for Lori - especially when she puts herself in danger. But I didn't like it. I especially didn't like the portion near the end where he's insisting she 'live her dreams' rather than hide. I just hate people making decisions for someone else's 'own good'. Friend or lover NOT therapist. Thank you.
There were also some things that were difficult for me - like an insinuation that being jealous of someone's time when they're focused almost exclusively on work means that you 'just arent' the right person' because someone who truly loves you will understand that you forget dates with them, birthdays and similar. Umm, WRONG. But that's another issue I'm rather sensitive about.
Ok, now that I've gotten my rants out of the way, I need to emphasize that I did like Start Me Up quite a bit. Even though the fantasies Quinn and Lori act out weren't pushing my buttons, Dahl sure as heck knows how to write a spicy love scene. And, more importantly, she does it in a way that doesn't remove the romance - there's still emotion brimming in the story and in the characters' actions, which is important to me.
Plus, for the most part I found Quinn to be a real sweetheart - a charmingly intelligent and considerate sort of guy (when he remembered to be) - and a great example of a thoroughly lovable beta hero. And since I remember going through the awkward tomboy-to-'girly'-on-occasion phase, I love to read about them. Yay for Lori's dress shopping!
Bottom Line: I didn't like it as much as Talk Me Down, but Start Me Up was a fun read (with a better handle on its suspense plot).
Liked it? Read the others in the Tumble Creek series:
Book 1: Talk Me Down
Book 2: Start Me Up
Book 3: Lead Me On
Interested in other opinions?
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