Pages: 224
Published by Big Dog Books Genres: contemporary, Love & Romance, Romance
Source: ecopy from Author
Published April 16th 2013 by Big Dog Books
Summary:Two years ago, Emily Burnham, had an epiphany about the shallowness of her life. And she made it her mission to become a different person…a better woman. Out from under the controlling thumb of her mother, Emily is tasting the real world for the first time. And she likes it.Nixon Caldwell has served his time in the Marine Corps, surviving two brutal tours in Afghanistan. He is back home, surrounded by what he likes best…isolation. It’s certainly the easiest way to avoid confrontation of the consuming guilt that is weighing him down.When an accident brings Emily and Nix together, he soon learns he is not the master of his own fate. Struggling with his own pain, Nix tries to guard himself against Emily’s charms. He wants her in his bed, but he doesn’t want her in his heart.Having grabbed life by the horns, Emily wants it all. But is she willing to accept just the small part of himself that Nix is offering? Can she reach the part of his soul that he has deemed to be Off Limits?This book is the follow up novel to Off Sides by Sawyer Bennett. It can be read as a stand-alone.
Off Limits is the second book in the off series. I didn’t read the first book and I didn’t need to in order to understand and completely enjoy Off Limits. Each book is about a different set of characters. The first book was about Ryan and his soon to be girlfriend Danny. Off Limits is about Ryan’s younger sister, Emily. At the start of the book there is a very short, but helpful, summary of the first book. It was just worked into the first chapter or so of Off Limits and it gave me everything I needed to know to get caught up. Off Limits works well as a standalone and I thought it was a great summer romance read.
Emily is a college student who wants to be a sports journalist. Cool career choice, right? I should note that Off Limits is an adult book, but because of the college age group I felt that it was more new adult ish to me, but anyways be warned that this is an adult book title. Emily is a unique person. She is so sweet and kind and in so many ways, very sheltered. But she is also fierce and strong and so intuitive. I loved how easily she was able to walk up to a person- any person, and instantly charm them and become their friend. She just has one of those personalities that you can’t help but like. And the best part is that she seemed completely genuine and believable to me. I really liked Emily.
Nix on the other hand comes off a bit brash and rough. he doesn’t care what other people think. He doesn’t care about how he acts and how other people feel around him. He is a marine, and his time in the marines becomes a main theme in the book for why he is the way he is. Nix certainly has a secret or two up his sleeve that Emily will have to pry out of him- if she can. I liked how reluctant Nix was to even admit that maybe he liked Emily. It certainly didn’t feel rushed at all. In fact, I thought the pacing of the story was perfect. The build up to Nix and Emily was great and completely realistic. Sawyer Bennett did a great job setting up the story and really building on some of the background details, like Nix’s job and with the adorable dog Harley. It was those extra things that made the story for me.
The only thing I can think of that irked me a little were a few teeny tiny minor details. I mean, when I tell you the example that I have on the top of my head you are going to think that I am crazy, but here it is. At one point it was mentioned that Emily was in 3 inch heels, and then later that night Nix described her in mile high heels or something like that. Now I know that seems silly and tiny, and you are right it is a tiny detail, but 3 inch shoes are not a mile high. I could easily go to court in 3 inch heels and run, and jump, and walk all over the place in them. 5 or 6 inches is more of what I would consider really high heels. But maybe that is just me because I am so short?
Another thing I liked about this book is that each character had their own issue(s) to work through. They shared the spotlight. And it made them seem even more perfect for each other in my opinion. They just compliment each other so well. Fans of contemporary romance will love Off Limits. I know I did.
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| 4/5 Gavels |
Sawyer Bennett is the pen name for a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
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Thanks for the review and giveaway! I’m really looking forward to reading this. I love a good slow-build romance.
Love your review, =) can´t wait for my chance to read!
Happy Tuesday!
//Linda
I like stories of broken military guys and finding his self in another.
I’m glad to hear that even though it’s a series of books that if you miss one you won’t be lost in the story.
OFF LIMITS does sound great. I love that it’s part of a series, but can still be read on it’s own too.