Flirting With Disaster [with bonus novella 'Fanning the Flames']

4.5 stars.

Flirting with Disaster is another highly entertaining and steamy romance in Victoria Dahl's fabulous Jackson: Girls' Night Out series. There is also a hint of suspense in this installment which helps keep this dynamite series fresh and provides yet another layer to the very appealing main characters.

Isabelle West has a quiet but happy life on the outskirts of Jackson Hole, WY. She is good friends with her nearest neighbor, Jill and she shares a close friendship with Lauren Foster and Sophie Heyer, two of the local librarians. She is a bit of a free spirit with a successful and lucrative career as an artist. In her mid thirties, she is sexually confident and unashamed about fulfilling her desires. But Isabelle is hiding a huge show more secret which makes it impossible for her to have a long term relationship. Which is not really a problem until Deputy US Marshal Tom Duncan arrives on the scene. At first scared to death her past has caught up with her, Isabelle cannot deny her attraction to the handsome lawman, but can she trust that he won't uncover her secret?

Tom is a very refreshing male lead-he is sexy but he is not the typical alpha male who is in complete control of the heroine and their relationship. Instead, he is just an all around nice man who is easy to embarrass (which is a very endearing trait) and an impossible to resist need to meddle in the lives of the people he cares about. With nearly twenty years of law enforcement behind him, Tom has good instincts and Isabelle's reaction to him puts him on high alert. He knows she is hiding something and since he cannot resist helping someone in need, Tom keeps digging into her background until he discovers what that something is.

Isabelle and Tom know their budding relationship has an expiration date since he will be leaving once his current case wraps up. At first, both of them are ok with this since neither is really in a position for anything long term. By the time Tom unwittingly brings Isabelle's past smack dab into her present, their feelings for one another go deeper than desire. But things go horribly wrong in a hurry and Isabelle discovers that her trust issue run deep and she is fearful of another rejection by another important person in her life.

Flirting with Disaster is a wonderful addition to the Jackson: Girls' Night Out series. The characters are immensely appealing with flaws and imperfections that are realistic. The plot is unique and quite compelling. The characters from earlier books make brief guest appearances and these scenes are absolutely hilarious and beautifully demonstrate the close friendship shared by the women. The sex is, as always, sizzling hot, but it is the camaraderie and friendship that Isabelle and Tom share outside of the bedroom that makes Flirting with Disaster such a delightful read. It is another outstanding romance by Victoria Dahl that I absolutely adored and highly recommend. show less

I am ambivalent about Victoria Dahl- sometimes I love her books, and other times I’m disappointed. The disappointment is even more bitter as she is a pro-sex, feminist writer for whom I have high expectations. Flirting with Disaster hit all the right notes– interesting, complex characters, a believable conflict, and most importantly, hot and lovely romance.

I actually read this series backwards, with the newest book first. So when I got to this book I had a basic understanding of what was about to happen. First off, I love how Ms. Dahl has made Jackson Hole a character. When I read her books I feel the dust on the floor of the saloon and the smell of horses and clean sweat on ranchers as they grab a beer after work. I love the way the crunch of snow feels under my feet. This place has become as real to me as the people's lives I am reading and I've fallen in love with it. And I have never been anywhere near there.

Now, Isabelle...she is a live wire and I love how she knows her own mind, what she wants, and she doesn't apologize for that. When Tom comes into her life they click and they both show more realize it. Finally the path is fraught with real life emotions and fictional external circumstances but the story is clear. I adore these two together and I'll forever be in love with Jackson Hole. show less

****Full Review****

3.5 stars

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

When U.S. Marshall Tom goes door to door alerting people to the Marshall's presence in the neighborhood for the next couple weeks as they protect a judge presiding over a case, he meets a very standoffish woman. His Marshall senses start to go off and he suspects the woman is trying to hide something so he decides to do a little more digging. Isabelle hates cops and what the Marshall presence could mean to her safety, she's not who she has been portraying to be but her lies is the only thing keeping her alive. As Tom and Isabelle get closer, lies and danger swirl around them show more and only trusting one another will keep them alive.

Isabelle is a very prickly character who some might have a problem with warming up to right away but her strength and confidence will have readers pulling for her to let Tom in. As always, Dahl does a masterful job at writing a thirty plus woman who has grown to claim herself and her sexuality; there is something freeing, uplifting, and deeply satisfying when reading a Dahl heroine. Tom is a soothing balm to the over abundance of excessively alpha males, he may hold a hand over Isabelle's mouth while they have sex so her friends don't hear but when she brings it up the next day he is going to blush. He is a strongly take charge guy with an adorably intimidated and slightly embarrassed side to how straight forward Isabelle can be at times. It is easy to see why they are attracted and how they bring out the best in each other.

Flirting with Disaster is the third in the series but with just a few appearances by the heroines from the previous books, it definitely works as a standalone. The lust between Tom and Isabelle gets rolling right away and while Tom's Marshall assignment of protecting a judge sidetracks the main relationship at times, it works as a credible device for the original reason to keep our couple together. Isabelle's past and how it leads to her false identity and why she is hiding out could have been the star of the show on its own; the story felt crowded with Tom's job issues too. The drama, mystery, and danger were interesting but with secondary characters, that had to be mentioned but were just blips on the radar to readers, there were too many cooks in the kitchen. In the end, it all together got a bit unwieldy at times but ultimately came together.

While I think this is the weakest in the series so far, it is still a solid addition. If you're tired of New Adult and want the wonderful experience of reading about an adult woman who knows her own mind and is comfortable with her own body (and in this case don't forget about the cute, charmingly sexy hero Tom) then this book and series is a must for you to pick up. show less

Flirting with Disaster

The Characters

Isabelle West is fun and amazing. I don’t think I would have survived what she went through as a young adult. But she thrived and came out stronger on the other side.
Tom Duncan is such a good guy, with a bit of a hero complex. That need came in handy though… you know after the big cluster f**k along the way.

The Story

I’ll try to do this without revealing too much.

Isabelle is hiding a big secret, from everyone. Tom rolls into town to protect her neighbor (he’s a US Marshall). They meet and sparks fly but at first only because she is cagey. Tom investigates. He discovers her secret but can he break down her wall of trust enough to be able to help her?

Getting to know these two was a joy. And show more getting to know their friends, Jill and Mary, was also great. This story is fun, sexy and emotional. Overall a really good read.

The Random Thoughts

I love cameos from characters in previous books. Lauren, Sophie, Nate a.k.a. Jenny’s boyfriend.

So, is Veronica our next heroine? She was kinda quiet in this one, I’m not sure how that will go.

Favorite Quotes:
”Yes, but I’m luring him with food. What are you luring him with?”
“My tits. And my sparkling personality, I’m sure.”
“No, it’s your tits. They’re gorgeous.”
*You have to love friends you can have conversations like this with.

”I know, but there’s nothing like the real thing. Warm skin and that velvety texture and the smell of a man’s body. God.”
*Poetic truth

”I’m seriously offended.”
“I don’t care.”
*He wasn’t really offended and she did care.

4 Stars show less

After awhile, I didn't care the heroine's big secret and the audiobook's narrator's voice rubbed me the wrong way. She made everyone sound like a sarcastic douche. Definitely ruined my enjoyment of the story. Next time, I'm sticking with paper backs.

Think I reached my quota... Something else after this. Probably not better or worse than the others, I just need something else.