And while the mild, sweetheart of a woman assumed the experience would frighten her, it just seemed to awaken some inner strength. Unfortunately, the dead body she finds in the rental property means that her vacation has taken a very different turn. She’s rented a home on Cape Cod for the next several days, and the clawfoot tub is calling her name. The story follows Taylor, a second grade teacher who is excited to finally go on a much-needed vacation with her brother. Oh, and there’s a side of murder mystery, so that was fun too! All of my initial complaints turned into the book’s strengths, and their over the top connection smoothed out into something perfectly intimate. It was a lot for me to process, lol, but everything comes full circle by the end. He soon discovers that he has a possessive, jealous, domineering streak… and she loves everything about that. This commitment-phobic, rugged hero doesn’t know what hits him when he meets this unassuming schoolteacher who is just finding her strength. I loved the opposites attract dynamic, and the ZAP of electricity between these two was apparent from the start.

So I’m rounding up! The second half read much, MUCH better for me, once I got a feel for the dynamic it’s 100% pure instalove and lust, with strangers who become lovers in the blink of an eye.

I’m torn between 4 and 5 stars, but you know what? I devoured it in one sitting, was entertained the entire time, and I haven’t read a book that’s quite this steamy in awhile – plus that original, awful cover was swapped out before release day.

Tessa bailey killer vacation