Risk Me (Silver Strands #2)
by Lexi Scott
A Contemporary Romance
From Entangled–Embrace
Released July 28th 2015
For Cohen Rodriguez, getting dumped by his girlfriend was bad enough. Being told he’s “not impulsive enough” was just the cheap parting gift. Still, he takes a break from his über responsible ways and dates his way through Silver Strand. Except it’s not exactly turning out the way he thought…
On top of that, there’s Maren Walshe, whose combination of sexy and down-to-earth is everything Cohen wants in a girl. But while they’ve recently been talking on the phone and texting every day, they’ve never actually met. Now Maren wants to meet. In person.
Faced with turning his oh-so-safe fantasy girl into an uncertain reality, Cohen and Maren are both about to dive head first, ready or not.
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Review
Cohen has just been dumped by his long-time girlfriend. He’s not all that heartbroken for the loss of the relationship, but her parting words did hurt. So determined prove his ex wrong and be impulsive, Cohen starts dating again. Unfortunately for him, all his dates turn out horrible in one way or another. It is during those moments that he reaches out to Maren his co-worker/phone pal for support and entertainment. Soon they’re exchanging text messages on a regular basis.
Maren enjoys talking to Cohen every chance she gets. She knows about him and firmly believes that he’s the perfect man. And that’s where on of her problem lies. She wants to keep Cohen as her fantasy man a little longer and is afraid that getting involved with him will shatter that illusion. Her life has been a series of disappointments and missed opportunities and she doesn’t need to add anything more to her plate at the moment. But curiosity gets the best of her and soon both are taking part on a blind double date where they realize that what they share is much more than either of them thought.
I enjoyed this story very, very much.
Both Cohen and Maren were fantastic characters to get to know. Cohen with his sense of humor, loyalty and understated sexiness won my heart within a couple of pages. I was intrigued by him in the first book so when I picked up his story I was curious to see who he would be paired with.
Mare was the perfect partner for Cohen. She was strong-willed, yet vulnerable with a fun and flirty side. They complemented each other in every way, which made their story a treat to read. I enjoyed their banter just as much as their more candid/serious moments. It helped a lot that they had great chemistry too. But what I appreciated the most was that although the chemistry between them was always present, the author made sure to bringto the forefront Cohen and Maren’s connection in every scene.
Although this is the second book in the Silver Strands series, it can be read as a stand alone. I found the characters to be intriguing and the concept well executed with plenty of humor and emotions to bring it all together. All in all, Risk Me had the right mix of elements for me to consider it fantastic read.
*I received a copy of this title in exchange of my honest opinion.
Excerpt
“It’s going to be fine,” Cohen says, his big, safe hand clutching at mine as we walk up the driveway to his mom’s house. “More than fine. They already love you.”
“They ‘work’ love me. I’m a freaking amazing employee, Cohen, and there’s no doubt that I’m an asset to them, but that doesn’t mean they want me seeing their son.” It still gives me a little thrill when I realize I’m actually, officially dating Cohen Rodriguez.
He wasn’t there when I woke up this morning, but he came back with breakfast burritos, a huge smile, and a hungry look in his eyes I couldn’t resist. Then he had his very, very wicked way with me and convinced me to meet his parents— I guess I was so smitten I forgot to be cautiously nervous. I said yes.
Things are moving fast, but maybe that’s okay. I have to make up for lost time, and I don’t want to waste another second I could spend with Cohen.
“You know what I think about your assets?” he says, raising a dark eyebrow and patting my bum. I lean into him and hope he’s telling the truth. That this is going to be a good day. No complications. But I can’t help but feel nervous about meeting his entire family in one place. “Anyway, Deo and Whit will be here, and they’ll like you for sure. It’ll make up for the sharks that my sisters can be.”
“Cohen!” I swat as his arm with a pleading expression. “You’re not helping.”
“I don’t get why you’re so worried. It’s just my family. You’ve already met some of them. What’s the problem?” We stop on the porch that’s full of plants near death and a massive stone religious statue that I don’t recognize.
I want to explain that I know he’s never brought anyone here but Kensley, and how can I replace her? That sisters never like me. That his family is so close I feel like an intruder. I open my mouth to speak, but he pulls me close and covers my mouth with his. His tongue silences me with its gentle path along the inside of my mouth.
He pulls away, taps my nose with his fingertip, and says, “You’re beautiful. It’s going to be great.” Cohen winks in that adorable, sexy way that makes everything okay in a more personal way than his laugh used to on the other end of the phone. “Ready to get your mexi-kosher on?”
As soon as we walk through the door, it’s pure chaos. Chaos that smells like heaven. There are people everywhere, dishes full of delicious-smelling food on almost every surface.
“This isn’t all for me, is it?” I lean in and whisper to Cohen.
“You’re a big deal. But no, this is every damn week.”
Something in me shifts. I feel enveloped in this warmth. I feel…welcomed. I want this. Every damn week, I want to feel this buzz of love and family. I swallow hard and close my eyes.
You deserve to be surrounded by love.
In the kitchen, a woman with dark, glossy hair leans over the counter to set out yet another dish and catches my eye. I recognize her from photos on the company website. Mrs. Rodriguez, Cohen’s mom. I’ve met his dad before, but never his mother, and I feel a prickle of nerves.
“Maren?” she says, rounding the corner into the living room. She and Cohen share the same nose, down to the adorable little curve in the bone in the middle. She smiles broadly, and it feels like this is actually going to be okay based on that look alone. Mrs. Rodriguez clutches at me the same way Cohen’s grandmother did, and it’s warm, welcoming, and feels like family should. My God, I didn’t realize how starved I’ve been for family. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. I can’t believe it’s taken this long. How long have you worked for us?”
“Ma, she’s not here as an employee,” Cohen says, wrapping a protective, sturdy arm around my waist.
Mrs. Rodriguez pulls the dishtowel that’s slung over her shoulder and swats at Cohen with it. “I know that. I just meant—oh, never mind. Maren knows what I meant.”
I nod politely, smiling like a fool. “It’s really nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Rodriguez.”
“Oh, please, call me Dinah.”
“And call me Daddy,” a male voice pipes in at the same time I feel his arm slip around me and shove Cohen’s away.
“Deo, don’t start off being an asshole,” Cohen says, shaking his head. “Maren, you remember Deo.”
“How can she forget a legend?” he asks.
Cohen rolls his eyes. “Apparently I wasn’t the smartest little kid. I picked this one pretty much before we could walk and haven’t been able to ditch him since.”
“Please. I have the legs of a Rockette. You’d miss them if you ever left me,” Deo says, pulling his board shorts up to expose his lean, tan legs.
About the Author
Lexi Scott is the combined forces of authors and best friends, Liz Reinhardt and Steph Campbell. Together, they write new adult and contemporary romance featuring strong, smart, feisty women and the swoony worthy, good guys who love them. The grew up on opposite coasts- one on the east, one of them on the west, but somehow, both ended up married and raising their families in the Southern U.S.
They love traveling, good food, wine and hoarding books.
