REVIEW: Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton

In Rusty Nailed(Cocktail #2) by Alice Clayton, Caroline Reynolds and Simon Parker are in the honeymoon phase of their relationship. Even with their demanding careers where they may not see each other for days or weeks, the sizzling connection between them is alive and well. So when Caroline’s boss not only leaves her in charge of her interior design firm in her absence, but also has her house-sitting in Sausalito, she and her Wallbanger (Simon) temporarily move in together. It turns out that Simon is ready to slow things down for a bit in his photography career and wants to stick close to home for a change. Caroline loves their crazy hot time together but soon wonders what it means for their relationship if she’s becoming the workaholic and he’s at home with her beloved cat Clive 24/7. She’ll do anything for her guys, but can she balance the demands of her career and new her home life without losing her mind in the process?

“You wanna fool around?”
“If I said no, what would happen?”
“I’d lie here next to you, thinking dirty thoughts.”
“Would they be about me?”
“They’re always about you.”
“Really?”
“You’re literally my fantasy girl.”
“Okay, it’s getting a little thick in here.”
“Speaking of getting thick…”
“Oh, kiss me, you big Wallbanger.”

Rusty Nailed is the hilarious and smuttastic second novel in the Cocktail series. Get ready to see what Caroline and her sexy Wallbanger, Simon, are up to this time around.

There is just something about Alice Clayton’s writing style that keeps me coming back for more. Seriously! I loved her Redhead series and find this one just as charming, witty, crude, and hot. I’m sure her sense of humor may not resonate with everyone as much as it does with some, but I think Simon and Caroline were very relatable characters and that their relationship/career struggles were every bit as attention grabbing as the jokes were. Plus, there was a lot going on with their close friends, whether it be their own relationship struggles or wedding fever, so that amped up the fun factor.

In book two, I thought we got to see a little bit different side of Simon and Caroline’s personalities. He began to reminisce about his childhood, opening up more about his past after his high school reunion, which brought out an almost domesticated side to him. I get that Caroline both loved it and was frustrated by it. She was used to her independence and that was halted abruptly. But at the same time, she was being pulled in a hundred directions with a new promotion at work and I thought it showed her people-pleaser side. She didn’t want to let anyone down which had her working crazy stressed out hours and Simon unfortunately took the brunt of it.

Don’t get me wrong. There was still a wonderful connection between Caroline and Simon with a ton of flirty bantering. But the real world started butting in to the honeymoon phase of their relationship, so it was interesting to see how they handled it. I had to chuckle as Simon’s bond with Caroline’s cat Clive grew stronger. If you’ve ever had a pet who has a huge personality and is like a furry little person in your home, you’ll love Clive. He kinda stole the show and a little piece of my heart along the way. And he’s even front-and-center in the epilogue. Wait until you read that. So sweet and cute, you’ll want Clive for your very own.

If you’re a fan of Ms. Clayton’s brand of humor and stories with lots of sexy time, definitely check out Rusty Nailed. I think you’ll get a kick out of it just like I did!

Book Info:

Published June 24th 2014 by Gallery Books | (Cocktail #2)

In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though! Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?

USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton delivers another delicious, frothy cocktail of a book, shaking up her characters, stirring in laugh-out-loud humor, and serving sizzling romance straight up!