Good Girls Don’t by Victoria Dahl

Title: Good Girls Don’t by Victoria Dahl
Donovan Brothers Brewery Series Book 1
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Too much of a good thing…

With her long ponytail and sparkling green eyes, Tessa Donovan looks more like the girl next door than a businesswoman—or a heartbreaker. Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break–in at her family’s brewery. He’s got his own problems—starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he’s the father.

Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother’s playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight–knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their “baby” sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He’s not who people think he is—and neither is she.

The Review:

With Good Girls Don’t, Victoria Dahl begins a new series that promises to be highly entertaining and deliciously sexy. Centering around the Donovan siblings and their family business, this first installment of the Donovan Brothers Brewery series is baby sister Tessa Donovan’s story. And oh, what a fabulous story it is!

Tessa is a perfect combination of naughty and nice. Beneath her girl next door exterior is a woman who revels in her sexuality. She is struggling to keep the peace between her brothers Eric and Jamie as they butt heads over their changing roles in the brewery. What begins as a light-hearted fling with Luke Asher quickly becomes a turning point when Tessa’s life slowly begins to spiral out of control. It is not until late in the book that readers and Luke see the vulnerable and scared woman Tessa hides behind her fun loving façade.

Luke Asher is a complex man whose bad boy reputation could not be farther from the truth. He is a caring and sensitive man that refuses to let his devastating divorce keep him from risking his heart again. He is a reflective man who owns up to his past mistakes and expects the same from Tessa. Luke does not shy away from confrontation with Tessa and they work through their respective issues.

Good Girls Don’t has several subplots that are appealing and provide added interest. Luke’s relationship with his partner Simone adds another layer to his complex personality. Tessa’s relationship with her brothers is the key to understanding who she is. Luke and Simone’s investigation into the break-in and their subsequent arrest sets in motion an unforeseen chain of events that become the catalyst to Tessa addressing her fears and moving past them.

Good Girls Don’t is a passionate romance that resonates with realistic characters and situations. Victoria Dahl’s dialogue is often hilarious but also hard hitting when the occasion calls for it. Tessa and Luke’s sex scenes are playful and scorching hot. There is an underlying poignancy to Good Girls Don’t that adds a great deal of depth to this engaging, fast paced, fun read.

Ms. Dahl leaves her readers highly anticipating Bad Boys Do the next novel in the Donovan Brothers Brewery trilogy.

Originally posted at The Reader’s Roundtable

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Filed under Contemporary, Donovan Brothers Brewery, Good Girls Don't, HQN Books, Rated A, Romance, Victoria Dahl

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