Bare It All

If the romance genre is a brick wall, I'm the idiot who keeps banging her head against it, hoping for a different outcome.

I think I came close this time, this was definitely not the same, tired formula I've read in romances thus far. No misunderstandings or contrived conflict.

Reece is of the greek-god-perfection variety - although he sounds blond, so maybe the viking-god-perfection variety. (Hellooo Thor!) He isn't damaged or stupid either, which just makes it better, of course. Alice would have normally irritated the fool out of me - she's the damaged one, but the author tempers her wounded bird with courage and well, one TSTL moment but the plot sort of hinged on it. Still, better than most of the romances I've read. Ok, all of show more them.

But the plot involved the sex trade and human trafficking and it didn't feel right using that as the basis for a romance plot. It certainly wasn't treated lightly or with disrespect; it just didn't feel right to use something so foul and obscene as the backdrop for a love story.

Also, the author switched POV between several characters, which is fine - she did it well - but she included the POV of the criminal and I really don't want to know what's going on inside the criminal's head. She doesn't dive too deep, it's kept pretty surface level, but I'd have just been happier without it.

This came as close as I've ever found to a romance I enjoyed, but not quite there. Eventually I'll forget about the futility of head-banging the brick wall, and I'll try another romance, but probably not for awhile yet. show less

I just want to point out that if I were less of a book nerd, I would have given this book a five star review just because of the yummy man on the cover and the amazingly hot title. However, this book was so fantabulous that I didn't have to add stars for the sexiness of the cover. (I really wouldn't do that, I'd feel way too guilty.)

Anyways, I'm so glad I re-read BARE IT ALL. I had completely forgotten most of the book, and didn't even realize the plot is almost a spin off of Trace's book, TRACE OF FEVER, in the Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series. Remember that series? Remember those men? Remember the amazingly hot sex? I do! *drool*

However, for this series, I seemed to have trouble remembering anything. How could I completely show more forget (or maybe I didn't even realize) that Alice was the Alice in TRACE OF FEVER? Oh yeah, I'm an idiot.

I mean, I started this series back when book one, RUN THE RISK, first came out. I have pretty much forgotten that book too. So now that I'm completely, head-over-heels in love with GETTING ROWDY, I'ts safe to say that I'm starting the series over. Backwards, apparently.

Getting back to the *REVIEW* portion of this review, I really didn't realize just how adorable Alice was until I made the best decision ever and decided to re-read this book. She's so cute in her attraction to Reece. She's so obviously inexperienced but very very eager to please, and that makes her hell-of-a-lot more attraction. And just about blows Reece's head off... both of them. *grins cheekily*

Alice is one of those characters that don't realize just how sexy she is, but anyone can tell is has more to do with her hellish "stay" with the human traffickers than anything, so you can't expect me to fault her for that, can you? She really is one of the most amazing fictional characters I've ever met (read?). Seriously, I would marry this woman. You know, if I were attracted to women.

One thing I love about Lori Foster is that the male character is always hot, protective, and oh-so manly. Obviously, her stories aren't always very realistic, but
A. It's fiction.
B. It's ROMANTIC fiction, so when is it ever realistic?
C. I don't care.

So no man in real life ever really matches up to a man in a Lori Foster book, but who the heck cares? Reece is a sexy cop that will stop at nothing to make sure his heroic and danger-attracting Alice is safe. Even if it means using some colorful techniques to pry information out of her. But turn about is fair play, right? *hint hint*

Now that I've re-read BARE IT ALL, I can see why people are so in love with this series. The first time reading book one and two didn't interest me as much, but now it's more than grown on me. I think we can all agree that Ms. Foster knows sex, and even better, knows how to write it. It's become an addiction for me; so READ this book if you want to be addicted to sexy detectives that are even sexier when the lights go out, and things get down to business.

Read more reviews and recommendations @ No Book Left Behind Book Blog show less

Very good book with plenty of action. We have the alpha hero who also has a sensitive side and a kick-ass heroine who is also vulnerable. Reese has been fascinated by Alice for quite awhile, but she doesn't let anyone get close - until she came to the rescue at the end of Run the Risk. With Reese's apartment being a crime scene, Alice offered to let Reese stay at her place for a couple days. This suits Reese perfectly since he's been looking for a way to get to know Alice better. It doesn't take long for him to realize that she's hiding something which just motivates him more. Those secrets soon put her in danger once again and it's up to Reese to protect her.

I loved both Alice and Reese. Alice was one of the women rescued by Trace in show more Trace of Fever. She had been forced to work for the bad guy and is still suffering a lot of guilt over that fact. She also fears that if her part in the takedown were known she would be hunted down and killed. So she works from home and keeps to herself. She can't stand by and do nothing when Reese is attacked and ends up letting him stay in her apartment. While she is very good at blending in, she can be a real kick-ass kind of woman. She is determined never to be a victim again and has multiple weapons hidden around her home. She is also very good at reading people which creates some very amusing situations throughout the book. I loved her bluntness and the effect it often had on the men. She has worked very hard at keeping Reese at arm's length, but she also has been taking care of his dog which opens her up a bit more than she is comfortable with at first. Alice is also fascinated by Reese and very attracted to him. I loved the way that she had a tendency to stare at his body and he was constantly telling her "Eyes up here". When it comes to Reese she is an intriguing mix of shy/nervous and aggressive/confident. I loved the way that she had little trouble showing him that she wanted him, but she also had some serious self-worth issues because of her captivity. Those scenes between them were explosive. Alice also had trust issues with most people but trusted Reese almost from the beginning. Though it took a little while to do so, she soon opened up to Reese about her past. She was afraid that it would change the way he treated her and was surprised when it didn't. Their conversations when the subject of the trafficking and her current activities came up were great. He gets so frustrated by her methods and not being careful enough. He'd also rather she came to him for help. Alice was constantly surprised by his protectiveness and also his trust in her. I really enjoyed her relationship with Rowdy and how that friendship drove Reese nuts. She also started being able to trust other people and developed friendships of her own with Reese's friends. I loved the way that her impulsive act of rescuing one girl from traffickers snowballed into helping Reese and Logan take down a trafficking ring.

Reese is a big tough man who actually has a pretty soft center. As a cop his protectiveness has the perfect outlet. He has been fascinated by Alice for a long time but she doesn't let him get close until he needs help with his new dog. When she offers to let him stay in her apartment until his is no longer a crime scene he jumps at the chance. It quickly becomes obvious to him that she is just as attracted to him as he is to her but that she has some major trust issues. I loved the way that he tries so hard to be patient and let her decide when she is ready. When he discovers all the weapons she has hidden around the place he is determined to find out her secrets. I loved how he uses her attraction to distract her enough to get her talking about her past. His protectiveness really came out when she told him what had happened to her. It didn't take long for his feelings to go from simple attraction to something deeper. He really tried to fight it for awhile but soon accepted that he wanted more with her. I loved his jealousy over her friendship with Rowdy. Some of the conversations centering around him were hysterical. When she put herself at risk by rescuing Cheryl he was afraid for her safety and determined to do whatever it took to keep her safe. When he discovered the connection between her rescue and a case that he is working on he is even more worried about her. I loved the way he got closer to her with each bit of her past that was revealed. I also liked the way that he appreciated her strength and her abilities. It was very hard to include her in the final takedown even though he knew he had to. I loved how he was the first to admit his feelings.

I loved seeing so much more of Rowdy. He is obviously uncomfortable with his new role on the right side of the law but is slowly getting used to it. I loved the interactions between him and Reese, especially when it came to Alice. There was a great scene where she compared him to her having a close girlfriend to confide it - it was hilarious. I also liked seeing more of his developing relationship with Avery and the story behind his acquisition of the bar. I really can't wait to get my hands on his book.

One of the best parts of the book was the brief appearance of Trace Rivers. He's mentioned earlier in the book in regards to his rescue of Alice. I loved the way Reese was so jealous even though there was no reason to be. I loved seeing him just appear at Alice's apartment. The interaction between him and Reese over Alice was so much fun to see. I also loved his comparison of the two men being handcuffed to beds and rescued by women. show less

Read in April, 2013

Read for Review/Blog Tour (Meryl L. Moss Media Relations, Inc)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.75

First Thought When Finished: Holy hot undercover cops! *SWOON*

Story Thoughts: The first thought I had when I finished book 1 in the Love Undercover series was I need this book! See I was a huge fan of the Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series and I liked the idea of combining characters from both. IT WORKED! Seriously y'all, this story really did meet my Romantic Suspense expectations. The case was fast paced, the action was gnarly, and the romance wasn't too rushed (especially if you read book 1). I read this in one afternoon and now I am patiently waiting on the next one: ROWDY! (said in my best show more Rocky voice)

Character Thoughts: I adore the characters in Bare It All! Alice is one complicated chic: secretive, overly armed, and good with dogs. What is not to love about that? I mean if ever there was a leading lady built to hook up with a police officer it is her. Reese is her match in every way. He just FITS! Oh, he is sexy as hell and at times has that "swagger" that alpha male types do BUT he is also patient, kind, and uber swoon-worthy! We get all the other characters we have grown to love. We get to check back in with Pepper and Logan. I giggled at their banter and Logan's "healing. Dash is there too and I think I see that romance in the making. Did I mention that I might have a thing for Rowdy. We get to swoon over him next!

Final Thoughts: If you love sexy undercover cops then I think you just might enjoy this series as much as I do :) show less

For heart-pounding suspense and heart-pounding romance, you can't do better than Lori Foster. As this book begins, Detective Reese Bareden wakes up on Alice Appleton's couch after being licked away by his puppy. Since his apartment was the scene of a crime and Alice came to his rescue, she gave him a place to stay. Reese had been fascinated with Alice since she met him but it took a rescued puppy before she would give him a chance.

Alice has learned to guard herself closely since being rescued by human traffickers. She doesn't have any desire to get close to anyone because she doesn't know who she can trust and because of the guilt she feels about assisting the traffickers until she could escape. Alice is quiet and shy and not convinced show more that she would be attractive to any man.

Reese is first attracted to her quiet beauty but soon learns to appreciate much more about her including her bravery and the way she cares for his abused puppy. When she impulsively rescues another woman from abuse, she puts herself in the crosshairs of a very bad man. It takes Reese, his partner Logan, Rowdy Yates and the elusive Trace to keep her safe.

I loved watching the relationship between Alice and Reese develop. Their love scenes were hot and filled with emotion. I also liked seeing Logan and Pepper (from Run the Risk) and catching up with their lives. Pepper's brother Rowdy had a substantial role in this story, too, and I enjoyed watching his view of the cops change as he gets to know Reese and Logan. I liked that the group of them forged a strong unit of love and respect.

Fans of romantic suspense will really enjoy this story. show less

Detective Reese Bareden thinks he knows what makes women tick, but his ever-elusive neighbor keeps him guessing like no other. Is his goal to unmask Alice’s secrets? Or protect her from a dangerous new threat? One thing is certain: their chemistry is a time bomb waiting to explode. And with no one to trust but each other, Reese and Alice are soon drawn into a deadly maze of corruption, intrigue and desire.

You may remember Alice from Trace of Fever, where she was a scared, downtrodden secretary forced to work for a Human Trafficker. Alice has grown into a intelligent and practical women, but she has a calm, no nonsense approach and her love for cash. I love it when Reese say’s “Eyes up here Alice” every time she is side tracked show more by staring at his body. I also love her vulnerability that she shows towards Reese and Trace. Alice faces down more human traffickers, all the while revealing her past to Reese, trying not to betray Trace and finally getting a female friend in Pepper. Another great book by Ms. Foster.

10 out of 10 show less

I’ve read these books out of order, first reading Getting Rowdy. I was so intrigued by the characters and relationships that I went back to read these first two books, in order.

Out of the three books out so far in this series, this one is definitely my favorite when it came to the various threats and the characters involved. Detective Reese Baredon had rescued a very excitable puppy. Living in the same apartment building is Alice, who so keeps to herself that she barely even says hi to him, and he’s definitely interested in her. It’s Cash, his puppy, that broke the ice when he needed someone to dog sit while he worked the case in the prior book. Now with his apartment a crime scene—again last book—she offers to let him stay show more with her. Everyone knows Alice is scared of something and is highly vigilant; it takes a while for Reese to learn her story which involves human trafficking.

All of the characters met in the last book play a role in this one and this time instead of just the characters carrying the story, so does the plot and the threat. And apparently a new character in this book has his own story from a prior series. My only criticism of the story is the amount of sex. A heck of a lot more than I wanted to read about.

Reading these in order definitely is better than jumping around as relationships and history are important to the next book(s). show less