Real Men Will

My favorite of the Donovan series, Eric and Beth's romance is as smoking hot as their origin was in THE GUY NEXT DOOR. There is still more angst than I'm used to for a Dahl book (and I traced that to both hero and heroine having issues to work through, while in most of her prior books, Dahl tended to have at least one partner relatable but confident), but Beth and Eric's anxieties were more palatable to me than Tessa's tension and Jamie's self-loathing. I think it also helped that I was invested in both hero and heroine prior to starting this book, after their stellar debut short story.

Beth and Eric working through their respective crises of confidence with little issue, but it was a little upsetting to see Jamie Donovan back in the antagonist's seat after he was the hero of BAD BOYS DO. But if Rome wasn't built in a day, it makes sense that familial bliss shouldn't be achieved in one book. I got choked up when the brothers finally hugged it out, and it was definitely worth the wait to see this family healing.

REAL MEN WILL is a strong contender to join my list of Victoria Dahl favorites, Beth and Eric's chemistry is outstanding (and may join Molly and her sexy lawman as a regular re-read). Only time will tell, however, if I reach for them or the hilarious courtship of Luke and Tessa when it's time to revisit the Donovans.

Reread #2 (4/13/12): Oh, Eric and Beth, you are just so loveable. As much as I dislike the Kendalls, they're not skippable in REAL MEN DO. I enjoyed this re-read cover to cover, and wish The White Orchid was in my neighborhood. ( )

Requested from Netgalley (by me)
Overall Rating 4.00
Story Rating 3.50
Character Rating 4.00
Romance Rating 4.50


Note: I didn’t think I could like Eric when I started this book and by the end I loved him. I truly believe it was because of Beth!

What I Loved: Beth is the best character in this series, IMHO! She was the most identifiable and down to earth leading ladies that I have read. She was also perfect for Eric. Beth brought out a side of Eric that had never been displayed in the series. I loved that she made him earthy, flawed, and unsure. Together their romance was sizzling and things were definitely hot-hot-hot.

What I Liked:I liked how Victoria made all the women in this series successful career women without distracting from their need of a family and love. Each of these women were smart, tough, self-sufficient, and yet very feminine.

Complaints: The family drama was a little much! So much could have been resolved with one honest conversation. While I loved Eric with Beth and Jamie with Olivia---I wanted to strangle Eric and Jamie when they get on the page together. Jamie was a jack *ss in this part of the story while Eric was a jack *ss in the previous one. I just felt that was dragged out a little long. It was why I dropped the story Rating.

Why I gave it a 4: This is ultimately a romance between two very good people. I bought the romance, loved the romance, and *swooned* at all the appropriate times. ( )

I still hated Tessa, but this time I also hated Jamie. Victoria Dahl does a decent job making you feel the characters, even if it is dislike. ( )

This was the perfect weekend read. I did wonder about the premise a little - the would be couple have a one night stand and later she finds out he didn't give her his real name...I have to admit that when I was young I had my share of flings and I honestly don't remember some names so I can't completely get behind the outrage... This is a Harlequin romance and it has its share of sex but it is just smutty enough but not gross... ( )

Why I read it: I got an ARC from NetGalley but I'm a fan of Ms. Dahl's books anyway, especially her contemporaries.What it's about: (from Goodreads). It was meant to be a one-night stand. One night of passion. Scorching hot. Then Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan were supposed to go their separate ways. That’s the only reason he lied about his name, telling her he was really his wild younger brother. Hiding his own identity as the conservative Donovan. The “good” one.But passion has its own logic, and Eric finds he cannot forget the sable-haired beauty with whom he shared one night of passion. When Beth discovers that Eric has lied, however, she knows he cannot be trusted. Her mind tells her to forget the blue-eyed charmer. If only every fiber of her being did not burn to call him back.What worked for me: Eric was a total stud muffin! Who knew he had it in him? Well, I did, because I read the novella first. I really do think you need to read the novella first so that you can completely enjoy the book as the novella is about the one night stand. Seeing things from Eric's point of view does give one a new perspective on the sibling interaction and despite the fact that Eric was an asshat in Bad Boys Do, I felt a lot of sympathy for him in this book I'm pretty sure that Ms. Dahl wanted Eric to come off as an ass in the earlier books just so she could redeem him here - it was a risk but she totally did it. Beth's backstory was heartbreaking and awful - I was so glad when she got her HEA with Eric - they're so good together.What didn't: I got a little frustrated with the fights with Jamie and with Beth near the end. They were got out of control very quickly and I suspect my frustration was more to do with out how realistic (and somewhat irrational) they were - I don't like them in real life either! I wasn't sure what Beth was going to do careerwise. It didn't feel telegraphed (perhaps this is what the author was going for) and in the end I was a bit surprised. Eric's choice was more obvious and it fit but I would have liked a little more about Beth's process.I thought the ending was just a little rushed. Overall, I would have liked just a little more of them happy together with no lies or misunderstandings, but then, I'm greedy that way.What else:I didn't grade the novella as I felt that and this needed to be counted together.Grade: B/B I think Jamie's book was slightly more enjoyable but this one ran a very close second. ( )