REVIEW: I Want Crazy by Codi Gary

In I Want Crazy (Loco, Texas Book 2) by Codi Gary, When California native Jessie decided to move to Loco, Texas, she had no idea how ornery the locals would get about her changing the Watering Hole Bar into a sports bar and grill. Evidently Texans take their beer and country music seriously. The most vocal in sharing his opinions is Red Calhoun. He’s a mountain of a man, but Jessie isn’t afraid of him in the least. She finds him equally frustrating and attractive, which is a conundrum and she’s not sure how she should handle it. Their fiery relationship evolves into more of a sexy physical one. But when the past she has been dodging shows up in Loco, will it spell the end for Jessie and Red?

“Oh, sweetie,” she said, her voice oozing sweetness. “I’ve met bigger and badder men than you.”
He leaned down until they were almost nose to nose. “California, you don’t know who you’re messing with.”

Alfred “Red” Calhoun had to give up a college football career when an injury took him out of the game for good. Who would have thought he would find a lucrative career in becoming a romance writer? But it works. Well, usually. He’s hit a road block with his latest manuscript until he runs into newcomer Jessie. Their chemistry is off-the-charts hot, but she also makes him madder than hell. When Red finally gives in to their attraction and makes a play for Jessie, he’s happy she doesn’t decide to punch him, and instead they embark on a steamy adventure together. His protective nature comes out in full force when her ex breezes into town with bad intent. Hopefully Red can keep Jessie from harm without upsetting her independent streak.

“Admit it, you think I’m hot.”
“Whatever, can we go?”
She tried to walk around him and he started dancing and singing, “If you want my body…”
“You are such an idiot,” she yelled as she walked away, fighting a laugh.

I was pleasantly surprised with I Want Crazy. Looking at the book cover and blurb, I thought it might be a cookie cutter, predictable romance. Instead, this was a snappy, humorous enemies-to-lovers romp that had me in stitches most of the time.

This trope, for me at least, is usually a 50/50 shot at whether I’ll fully enjoy the story or not. I tend to like the books that have a sense of humor about whatever issue is causing friction between the protagonists, not those that have a heavy, vindictive vibe. I got a kick out of reading about a little spitfire Californian like Jessie going toe-to-toe with ex-football player Red without any second thoughts. They were basically fighting one moment and then kissing the next, which was highly entertaining. Also an entertaining twist? Red being a romance writer. Normally I wouldn’t think of a big ole linebacker writing that genre of novels, but I loved that romantic streak in his otherwise manly persona.

Author Codi Gary did a good job writing the sparring scenes between Jessie and Red, highlighting how their wild attraction was growing as they bickered like an old married couple. It felt like the connection they had was pretty realistic. And getting off on the wrong foot made for some interesting verbal battles, but made their romance scenes that much more explosive as well. I thought the secondary characters were equally interesting, offering a lot to the plot and in their interactions with Red and Jessie. And I have to say, Red’s mama was quite the character and knew just how to keep her big, burly son in line! lol

I hope you give I Want Crazy a try and enjoy the romance, fun down-home vibe, and twisting plotline as much as I did.

Book Info:

Published July 7th 2014 by Books With Benefits Press | (Loco, Texas Book 2)

Alfred “Red” Calhoun is in a rut so big, he doesn’t know how to climb out of it. After his second best-selling romance novel, Red signed a contract for three more books, but now he’s having trouble finding his romantic mojo. To top it all off, his favorite bar has been bought by a woman who wants to close down and re-vamp it. With his favorite place gone, Red is looking for a distraction…just not the kind that the bar-ruining Jessie Dale has to offer, no matter how hot she may look in a pair of paint-covered overalls…

Jessie has been running away from trouble since the time she was a kid and now that she’s decided to make a place in Loco, Texas, she’ll be damned if she’s going to let a pain in the rear cowboy with too blue eyes chase her out of town. As Red and Jessie go toe to toe in an epic battle of wills, Jessie finds it hard to stay mad when Red’s kisses make her want to forget her trust issues…and take him home for a test drive.

But when Jessie’s pissed-off ex comes to town to make trouble, Red finds himself playing a hero in his own life and can’t seem to stay away from the girl who invented trouble. But will he be able to handle all the crazy baggage Jessie’s been hauling around, or will these two miss out on the greatest adventure of all…falling in love?