REVIEW: Can’t Hardly Breathe by Gena Showalter

In Can’t Hardly Breathe (The Original Heartbreakers #4) by Gena Showalter, Dorothea Mathis has had a thing for Daniel Porter since junior high, even though he did shatter her teenage heart with his bad boy ways. And her silly heart still skips a beat years later when she sees he’s returned back to their hometown of Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma. Already struggling with her lack of confidence–thanks to years of being bullied–Dorothea is trying to turn over a new leaf. She now owns and runs the family inn, she’s trying to live healthier, and so she decides the time is right to make a move on Daniel. But things don’t go as planned. And while he obviously desires her, Dorothea doesn’t want to be forced to sneak around town so no one learns of their time together. If Daniel can’t be proud to be seen with her then she doesn’t need him in her life. Or so she tells herself.

‘This boy…he was the reason her heart beat, and the reason it broke into a million little pieces.’

Daniel’s career in an elite team of Army Rangers haunts his days and especially his nights. His only peace of mind comes from his job as a security consultant with his buddies Jude and Brock and the nights he spends chasing one beautiful woman after another. So imagine Daniel’s surprise when he falls fast and hard for lovely Dorothea who has blossomed into the pinup girl of his dreams while he was gone. Thinking a night or two with the beautiful innkeeper will satisfy his craving, he does his best to seduce her, only to have his efforts thrown back in his face. Dorothea is looking for something real and long-term, something Daniel isn’t sure he’s ready for. But he can’t see himself letting go of her yet, either.

“Go home, Daniel. I’m tripling room rates tonight.”
“Does the triple rate come with cuddle time?”
…”No cuddles,” she said, “but I can make sure your stay comes with a knee-to-crotch introduction.”
Do not laugh. “Yeah, baby. Talk dirty to me. Filthy.”
A giggle burst from her. Then she sucked in a breath, as if shocked by her amusement.

Talk about a swoon-worthy romance. Can’t Hardly Breathe was the perfect combination of two people in the midst of a super flirty seduction while also overcoming their personal demons. Heart, humor, and heat made this a story to treasure.

‘She possessed a soul-deep strength and a purity of character few others did, both of which mattered far more than outward beauty ever would. Even an outward beauty as magnificent as hers.’

I always admire Gena Showalter’s character building with each book of hers I pick up. And our wonderful hero and heroine Daniel and Dorothea proved to me that she’s at the top of her game. I loved watching the transformation both characters went through as they learned more about themselves and how to be part of a relationship they hoped would last. There was something about how Showalter described Dorothea and Daniel that made them so human and flawed but completely likable. Their personal struggles were real-life issues that I think most readers will be able to relate to in some way: Daniel with his PTSD and trying to assimilate back into civilian life, and Dorothea’s lack of self-esteem after being bullied and treated poorly for years.

Daniel turned out to be a truly good man with amazing integrity who loved his family deeply and was a loyal friend. I loved how he stuck up for Dorothea, even back when they were in high school together, and how he gave her a boost to her self-confidence. He had a seriously dirty mouth and loved to tease and “negotiate” with her, trying to coax her out of her shell and date him. Those scenes had me laughing out loud and cheering them on. Daniel did have his angsty, broody moments where he was too stubborn for his own good, but so didn’t Dorothea, to tell the truth. Although I did adore her as a heroine. She was sassy in her own way and was determined to take control of her life and think positively. Dorothea and her girlfriends were all about girl power and it made for some fun conversations between them all.

Although this can be read as a standalone, if you’ve read the previous books you’ll get to catch up with Harlow, Jessie Kay and a bunch of other characters we’ve met along the way. The one character I was honestly not impressed with though was Dorothea’s younger sister Holly. I spent the majority of the book hoping she would get her comeuppance after the way she treated Dorothea and my wishes were pretty much granted. (lol) But the rest of the cast was top notch. And of course I can’t wait to see Jude & Ryanne’s romance next, and then Brock & Lyndie’s after that. Lots of steamy goodness yet to happen!

A passionate, hilarious, down home good time, Gena Showalter impressed me yet again with her writing prowess. Can’t Hardly Breathe was an absolute pleasure to read and a romance that I think will resonate with readers.
 

Book Info:

Publication: August 29th 2017 | HQN Books | The Original Heartbreakers #4

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with an irresistible Original Heartbreakers story about a woman who’s never felt desired and the man who wants her more than air to breathe…

Bullied in high school, Dorothea Mathis’s past is full of memories she’d rather forget. But there’s one she can’t seem to shake—her long-standing crush on former army ranger Daniel Porter. Now that the sexy bad boy has started using her inn as his personal playground, she should kick him out…but his every heated glance makes her want to join him instead.

Daniel returned to Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, to care for his ailing father and burn off a little steam with no strings attached. Though he craves curvy Dorothea night and day, he’s as marred by his past as she is by hers. The more he desires her, the more he fears losing her.

But every sizzling encounter leaves him desperate for more, and soon Daniel must make a choice: take a chance on love or walk away forever.