REVIEW: Anticipation by Sarah Mayberry

In Anticipation (Brothers Ink #2) by Sarah Mayberry, Blue Sullivan has spent the last decade pushing aside her feelings for Brazilian-turned-Australian hottie Eddie Oliveira. They work together every day at Brothers Ink tattoo shop he and his twin brother Rafael own, and she considers the guys her family. Having grown up in the foster care system, Blue knows the value of true friendship. So being Eddie’s best friend is better than losing him when they fail at a relationship. Or so she thinks, until she’s suddenly dependent upon him for help. Then the feelings Blue has been holding back become impossible to ignore. But will it cost them their friendship if they give in?

“Haven’t you ever wondered? she heard herself ask, her voice barely more than a whisper. “About us? How it would be?”
He was so close she could see his pupils dilate as her words hit him, the dark pupil swallowing the green of his irises. Then he spoke, and his words tipped her world upside down.
“Every fucking day of my life.”

Eddie Oliveira knows his family and friends think he’ll never settle down, given that he’s never had a relationship last longer than six months. But it’s difficult when he constantly compares every woman he dates to his best friend, Blue. The pint-sized beauty doesn’t realize that he’s been holding back on making a move for years, so as not to ruin their friendship. But seeing Blue hurt and in the hospital is enough to push Eddie to the edge of his control. He’s determined to prove to her that what they feel is true and that it will last. If she’ll only give him the chance to show her how great they can be together.

‘If he wanted her — and he did — he was going to have to be patient. He was going to have to jungle-crawl beneath her defenses. He was going to have to prove himself.’

Who doesn’t love a good friends-to-lovers trope, right? Anticipation was just that. This was written with all of the longing and passion I hope for, and with the addition of two very colorful characters who were simply destined to be together.

I had a lot of fun reading Satisfaction, book one in the Brothers Ink series, when we got to know the Oliveira brothers (twins!) and the rest of the crew. I am equally impressed this time with Eddie and Blue’s story. The way author Sarah Mayberry describes their feelings, their thought process, and their lust for each other is spot on. I loved those angsty moments they both had when they of course were waffling between remaining friends or confessing their feelings. Ms. Mayberry made those scenes so real and so heartfelt that it was very easy to become wrapped up in their struggle. Love that!

There were a few times when Blue digging in her feet and going into self-preservation mode frustrated me, but after getting a full idea of her background in foster care, I totally understood. Her strength and loyalty was admirable, as with how she had made the crew of Brothers Ink her own family. I thought it was poetic justice that Mr. Temporary, as Blue and Maggie call Eddie behind his back, finally found The One in his best friend Blue, only to have her push him away. They say nothing worth while is ever easy, and boy did he learn that lesson with her. 😉

I have to say that my favorite scene was probably when Blue and Eddie were dancing in the club. Hot doesn’t even begin to describe it. That scene was perfectly detailed and so sexy I’m surprised my Kindle didn’t catch on fire. There was certainly no passion lacking between them. Ms. Mayberry did a stellar job as always with the romance, knowing when to make the scenes tender and loving, or wild and intense.

If you’re ready for a wild romantic ride where two strong individuals fight for control over their emotions — and their relationship — Anticipation is definitely for you.

Book Info:

Published March 25th 2015 by Small Cow Productions Pty Ltd | (Brothers Ink #2)

Blue Sullivan knows a player when she sees one. And Eddie Oliveira—charm and sex personified—was born to play. She never wanted him to say goodbye, so for the last ten years she’s ignored the sizzling attraction between them and focused on being the best sidekick a guy could have. Smart girl, right?

Then Blue has a serious accident, and overnight Eddie changes. Suddenly he’s more intense and singularly devoted…to her. With all this sexy attention, it’s hard to stay within the boundaries she’s scrupulously drawn. The temptation, the anticipation builds and, finally, she has to have what he’s offering. Of course Eddie proves to be brilliant. Now, she worries he’s ruined her forever…and she might regret leaping from friends to lovers.