Review: Catch Your Breath by Shannyn Schroeder

Title: Catch Your Breath by Shannyn Schroeder
The O’Leary’s Book Four
Publisher: Kensington
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Word Count: 100,897
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

As kids they steered clear of one another–but now a beautiful, well-connected reporter and a sexy, driven detective are all grown-up and on the job. . .

Moira O’Leary’s work as a reporter gives her access to some of Chicago’s swankiest soirées. She knows how to navigate the jet-set crowd, and her style and confidence help her blend right in. But when her childhood crush starts popping up at posh events, her poise begins to falter–until she realizes she has the upper hand in a high-stakes game of secrets and seduction. . .

Jimmy O’Malley has always tried to avoid his friend Liam’s little sister. Something about Moira spelled trouble. But he’s out of his element working undercover in Chicago’s high society, and Moira is his ticket to the inner circle. As sparks begin to fly–and their chemistry heats up–Moira gets dangerously close to his investigation. Will Jimmy be forced to push her away to keep her safe–or will they surrender to a desire that could leave them breathless?

The Review:

Catch Your Breath is the fourth installment of Shannyn Schroeder’s fabulous O’Leary’s series. In this outing, we finally get sister Moira’s story and in a refreshing change of pace, there is also a bit of a mystery element to the novel.

Moira is a freelance reporter who mainly covers society stories and when she runs into childhood friend and longtime crush Jimmy O’Malley at a swanky event, her curiosity is piqued. Seizing the opportunity to get an exclusive story (and get closer to Jimmy), she uses her connections to help Jimmy with his undercover investigation of thieves who have been targeting wealthy men. Moira quickly realizes that they share a sizzling hot attraction but Jimmy’s friendship with her brother Liam puts her firmly in the hands off category as far as Jimmy is concerned.

Moira is a great character: upbeat, enthusiastic and persistent. She loves her family, but she is getting a little tired of her overprotective brothers’ refusal to treat her as an adult. An invitation to her ten year high school reunion is a catalyst to re-evaluate her goals and her chance encounter with Jimmy provides her the impetus she needs to make some changes in her life. Jimmy is just the man to help her find what she’s looking for in both her professional and personal lives, but Moira quickly learns that convincing him is going to take a lot of work on her part.

Jimmy is a wonderful character but he is also very frustrating. He is very dedicated to his family but he is running out of patience with his dad and his brothers. He likes to be in control of all situations and this becomes an issue in his relationship with Moira. He is passionate one minute and pushing Moira away the next and this pattern holds pretty much throughout the entire novel.

The mystery aspect of the storyline is key not only in bringing Jimmy and Moira together but it is also an excellent career opportunity for Moira. It gives her an idea for a story with the depth she is looking for but Jimmy’s fears for her safety drive a wedge between them. Jimmy’s investigation is interesting but it is wrapped up with little fanfare and gets a little lost in the resolution of the conflict between Jimmy and Moira.

Catch Your Breath is a lovely addition to Shannyn Schroeder’s O’Leary’s series. The storyline is fresh and innovative, the characters are fascinating and the interactions between the Moira and Jimmy are fiery and incredibly passionate. Intriguing glimpses of Liam leave me eagerly anticipating his novel, which will be released early next year.

You can read my review of the other books in the series HERE.