Real Men Will

Beth Cantrell is not what anyone would expect. Clean cut and straight-laced, she's also the manager of the White Orchid a store specializing in lingerie and sex toys. While many think this implies she's a sexual savante, Beth is nothing but vanilla. Except for one night with one man. When she bumps into him unexpectedly sparks fly and Beth and Eric discover their one time thing has the promise for much more.

One of my co-workers recommended another novel by Victoria Dahl to me (I'm a sucker for romances with librarians in them - shocking) and while I waited for my hold to come in, I picked up another of her books. While the conflicts that move the plot forward seem a bit thin, I still sped through this one. I appreciated the unusual show more nature of Beth's career and the reasons she worked in that field. If you enjoy a smutty romance novel every once in a while (or all the time), this one isn't a waste of time. show less

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 show more 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. show less

Real Men Will
5 Stars

Series note:This is the final book in the trilogy and it essential that the series be read in order to truly understand the family dynamics as well as the ongoing story arc. Moreover, it is also necessary to read the prequel novella, "Just One Taste", where the hero and heroine of this book first meet.

Since the death of his parents, Eric Donovan has dedicated his life to raising his younger siblings and running the family brewery. But now that his brother and sister have found their own niches, Eric is at odds with himself and his future. When he spies a gorgeous woman at the local business expo, Eric throws caution to the wind and decides to indulge in an illicit one-night stand. The only problem is that Beth show more Cantrall, the manager of the White Orchid erotic boutique mistakes him for his brother, and all hell breaks loose when she discovers his deception. Will Eric and Beth be able to move past the lies of the past to fulfill the promise of their passion for one another?

Wow! Eric and Beth's story is amazing. It is wonderful to finally see the real man behind the cold and stoic persona that Eric presents to the world, and understand the love, affection and responsibility he feels for his family.

Beth is simply delightful. The trauma of her past is infuriating, and the desire to enter the pages and attain justice for her is almost overwhelming. The fact that she has overcome the awful experiences is testament to her strength of character and personality.

The sex scenes in Dahl's book are always intense and emotional, but she has outdone herself with Beth and Eric's romance. Their interactions are explosive whether verbal or physical, and it is incredible to see them overcome their natural reserve and find passion and comfort in each other.

Overall, a fantastic end to the series and I am going to jump into more of Dahl's backlist ASAP. show less

My favorite of the series. After I finish Dahl's books I'm always introspective and thoughtful. She really turns the screws on how and why and what insecurities do to our self-esteem, self-worth, and basically how you choose to live your life.

I liked this one, just as much as the other two books in this series. I found that I really liked Eric, finally, in this book. The last two books he has been really pissing me off. I also think Jamie was over reacting a TON in this book. I wanted to smack some sense into him...so I have no idea how Eric held it together when he wasn't throwing punches.

I also teared up on the part when Beth talks to her father. I was so happy she finally spoke to him and that he reacted the way he did (fianlly). I also like this book shows you can still chase your dreams as a fully grown adult. I also thought the dynamic between Beth and Eric was pretty dang hot. The hottest in the trilogy by far. I can't wait to read the next release by Victoria Dahl. show more Heck, I will read her scribbles...I am already fiending for her next book. show less

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 show more 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. show less

I just love when the quiet, preppy, nerd type let their freak flag fly =)In Real Men Will we finally get to find out why Eric feels the need to be perfect and in control oeverything. I love that straightlaced upstanding Eric has a taste for kink that he never knew about until he met up with Beth again. Beth has major hang ups when it comes to having sex, and finds that with Eric she can just let go, even though she can't trust him. There is a lot of hot lovin in Real Men Will. IMO when you combine the percent of the book that deals with Jamie and Eric fighting and working their problems out and of Beth and her father working their problems out you are looking at about 50% of the book, the other 50% is actually Beth and Eric's hot sex show more and the development of their relationship.I absolutely love the Donovans. There is a whole lot emotion in this series and the sex is hot. I do have to admit I was a little upset that the series left me feeling more like they were HFN instead of an HEA.To see more of my review on Real Men Will please visit www.bookpimpsreviews.com show less