Thursday 28 May 2015

Review: The Girl Next Door (Bend or Break #3) by Amy Jo Cousins

****4 Stars****
 
 
I love this series and I have to say I was, as I suspect many will be, that in the middle of a M/M series we had a M/F story but let me just say if you have any doubts then trust in Amy Jo as she does not disappoint in surprising us with the curve this story takes, Steph is Bi so don’t get caught up on the M/M title of the genre and accept this story as being relevant as a LGBT story.
I loved Cash in Off Campus and was glad to get his story and see how the big lovable jock was faring after college and I was pleasantly surprised to find he had rejected the silver spoon lifestyle he was born into in favour of making his own way in life and working with children from a disadvantaged background as a soccer coach in Chicago. I was sad to find him unhappy in himself and pining for Steph who we just now find out was a friend with benefits during college who dumped him for her new girlfriend. I knew there had to be something going on between them two.
When his young cousin turns up at his apartment seeking help from Cash as his parents didn’t believe his coming out, Cash turns to his friends Tom & Reese for help with the youngster and finds out Steph is also living in Chicago. Steph is more than happy to help and Cash soon realises his feelings for her haven’t changed and pretty soon they slip back into their old agreement. It was lovely to see the gang back together and see how their friendships had developed and grown with them as young adults.
Cash & Steph are a lot of hot and I honestly would have loved more of the details of the things Steph had introduced Cash to during their time together, she definitely ruined Cash for ever finding another woman that’s for sure. So we learn that Cash is very open minded in the bedroom and soon these two are opening up about fantasies together but will they take the step to making them reality? I found the emotional denial in their relationship really frustrating and wanted to bang their heads together at times and give Steph a good shake to make her realise what she had in Cash but I’m glad they seem to manage to work it out on their own eventually.
The only downside I found in this book was I thought it was a little slow to start and at times felt the inner monologues from Cash regarding the school funding were a little too soap box for the story, thought I appreciate they were showing how Cash had developed as a person just a little too much for me. I really hope there is more to come in this series as it is definitely one of my favourites.
 
 
Blurb
 
When it comes to love, go big or go home.

Charles “Cash” Carmichael traded his high-rise condo and family-firm career for a job coaching soccer for Chicago’s inner-city kids. He’s adjusting to living on minimum wage when his young cousin, newly out and running away from home, shows up on his less-than-luxurious doorstep.

Angsty teens definitely aren’t Cash’s thing. He needs local backup, and there’s only one name he can think of: Stephany Tyler. Back in the day, the bisexual Steph was the perfect friend with benefits until she fell in love with a woman.

To his relief, his former friend steps up to the plate. Soon, though, Cash finds himself feeling the familiar need to keep her in his bed, and in his life. But Steph, burned by the ex-girlfriend and by the absentee dad she’s been trying to connect with, won’t risk her heart again.

Good thing Cash believes in leaving it all on the field. If he can just convince Steph to get in the game, there’s a chance they can both win.

Warning: This book contains ex-friends with benefits crossing boundaries a second time, several steamy encounters on staircases, copious discussions about gay sex from a “straight” guy, a shout-out to magic buttons, and an especially memorable going away threesome.
 
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