REVIEW: More Than a Fling? by Joss Wood

More Than a Fling? by Joss Wood: Ross has no intention of saying yes to Alyssa Jones. After all, he never responded to her eleventy billion emails and phone calls she’d left for him. But now she was here in Cape Town giving him the once-over like he was a slab of meat. Which he *definitely* was not. What he was – a successful business owner, game designer, think tank organizer, charitable foundation founder. He’d done that all by himself, and he didn’t need or want more. Okay, maybe he kinda wanted Alyssa… Maybe that’s why he caved and decided to hear her out over drinks instead of shooing her away, back to Geneva without a second thought.

Ally hadn’t been sure that Ross Bennett would be as perfect for her campaign as her foster brother Luc had promised, but once he was standing in front of her – in the flesh as it were – not only did she want him for the ambassador of Bellechier’s new clothing line, she felt the tug of wanting him for much more. That was neither here nor there, she just didn’t do things like that. Nope, Ally was all business, and that’s how things would stay.

He should just tell her to get lost, that he wasn’t interested in any branding deals, but there was something about her—apart from her space-high hot factor—that intrigued him. It was those eyes, he realised, the layers and layers of blue. Confidence, sassiness, intelligence, and once or twice a flash of something deeper, darker. Wilder…

Of course that only worked until Ross stipulated she had to stick around while he became the face of the new line. That meant a quick trip home, then temporarily moving to Cape Town. The emails they exchanged during the time in-between didn’t help either. By the time they see each other again, they’re worked into a fever… okay, well at least one of them is.

After they decide to have a no-strings, sex-only ‘thing’, the days in Cape Town seem to fly by. Even if Ally still can’t relax as much as Ross would like her to. And no matter what they’re both saying, they’re also falling for each other. Their baggage is heavy and tall, and it’s not budging, at least not without help from outside forces. Hopefully they’ll step in and get the cases tumbling.

Both Ross and Ally have issues stemming from their fathers, and you’d think that’d be a bonding issue – but it’s totally not. For Ross, his father’s insistence on control is something he just doesn’t talk about – it’s behind him. And for Ally, her father conditioned her to repress, and after a harrowing incident after his death, the stoic behaviour she learned was reinforced. She’d just never wanted to put herself ‘out there’.

‘You really don’t want to do this, do you?’ Ross asked from somewhere behind her.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to. It was just that she was so damn scared. What if she let him in and he let her down? What if he died? What if he met someone else and decided that person—happy, bubbly, normal—was the love of his life and she was left out in the cold?

Again.

She didn’t think she could survive being left on her own again.

The tension between them is lessened by sex, but after an unexpected visitor, the shit finally hits the fan. Ross can’t handle how closed off Ally is, and she can’t give him what he wants. Even though he steps out onto the ledge, she refuses to follow, and she returns to Geneva. But his words echo in her head. Maybe she does need to let some people in. Her foster family – whom she’s known her entire life – have always been there for her. Why can’t she just let herself lean on them? Maybe give up some of her control, so she can return to the man she loves with a cleaner slate.

Ross and Ally were so complex. I love them both, and wish I could’ve read more. If this book were a Movie or TV Show, it should’ve had a sequel or spin-off. Ally has two foster brothers, maybe we’ll see them at some point, who knows? Great story, steamy – on the sensual side – sex scenes, had me silently crying a couple of times. (stupid onions). Great story! I wanted more. 🙂

Book Info:

Published June 1st 2014 by Harlequin

“I will consider doing the campaign–seriously consider it–if you sleep with me.”

When Ross Bennett has the not-so-enjoyable pleasure of hearing those words come out of his mouth, he realises he must have left his pants in charge. Because the woman sitting opposite him may be seriously gorgeous, but this is serious business–not some sleazy backroom deal! Until Ally floors him by agreeing to his terms….

Ally Jones may find Ross utterly irresistible, but that can wait: she has a thing or two to teach him first! Her first lesson? Everything comes to those who wait….