REVIEW: Some Like it Hot by Susan Andersen

In Some Like it Hot (Razor Bay #2) by Susan Andersen, Harper Summerville grew up listening to her father say “If you stop moving, you die” and she has taken that sentiment to become a motto of sorts. She is constantly traveling and taking temporary jobs while working for her family’s charity foundation which suits her just fine as Harper loves meeting people and having new experiences. Her latest temp job is in beautiful Razor Bay, Washington, working at a local inn. Then she meets deputy sheriff Max Bradshaw and everything in her world shifts. She is intensely attracted to him but he’s a very serious, introverted guy. Harper doesn’t think she’s even on his radar. Once she gets to understand more about Max and his background, she realizes he just needs someone to show him some attention and affection. And she’s more than willing to do so. That is, until she starts feeling like she might be falling for the rugged former marine.

‘And, oh, God, what a kiss. She wouldn’t be surprised if her skin was smoking; Max was all hot lips, talented tongue and sharp teeth, and he knew exactly how to use them.’

Max Bradshaw knew he wanted Harper Summerville from the moment he first saw her. She’s beautiful, smart, worldly and unfortunately, probably way above his class. But he can’t deny the electricity between them every time they’re in the same room together. Max tries to push aside old childhood worries about not feeling good enough for her and pursues Harper anyway. Their time together is everything he dreamed it would be but the end of the summer will see Harper moving on to her next job. Max is very much a long-term relationship kind of guy, which is the opposite of how his absentee father acted while he was growing up. Max thinks he and Harper could be perfect together in the long run but the trick will be convincing her to stick around and give them a chance.

‘For he was sure as hell tired of acting more tongue-tied than a horny thirteen-year-old with his first crush every time he stumbled across Harper Summerville.’

Some Like it Hot is a great contemporary romance showcasing characters in the midst of personal growth and who are taken out of their comfort zone, much to their chagrin. They both have previous issues they have to get past in order to move forward in their personal relationships, romantic or otherwise.

Harper loves to travel and doesn’t think being stuck in one place would work for her. She is taken by complete surprise when she falls in love with both Razor Bay and Max and is afraid if she sticks around that something bad will happen. She learns a lot about herself and her family as she works through her emotions over the summer. Max is the polar opposite from Harper in that he wants to settle down and have a wife and family to dote on. He wants to prove to everyone that he is nothing like his dad (even though he already has…).

Susan Andersen has a nice flow to her writing style. The story successfully switches back and forth from Harper to Max’s point of view, which lends a bit of insight into each character’s thoughts. And even though this is book two in the series, it works as a standalone (although I would suggest reading the first book if you want to see when Max and Harper first meet.) The dialogue was snappy and realistic. I especially enjoyed Max and his brother Jake together. They’re trying to build a friendship and grow closer, but let’s face it: they are both alpha males, so they’re constantly teasing each other and end up roughhousing like teenagers. Super funny.

I definitely recommend Some Like it Hot if you are a fan of contemporary romance. This novel is a roller coaster of emotions with smokin’ hot love scenes. It certainly left me content and now I’m looking forward to more time in Razor Bay.

Book Info:

Published July 30th 2013 by Harlequin HQN

“Wrong for each other” never felt more right…

Even a lifelong traveler like Harper Summerville has to admire the scenery in Razor Bay, Washington. There’s the mountains. The evergreens. The water. And Max Bradshaw, the incredibly sexy deputy sheriff. Still, Harper’s here only for the summer, working covertly for her family’s foundation. And getting involved with this rugged, intense former marine would be a definite conflict of interest—professionally and personally.

Max’s scarred childhood left him determined to put down roots in Razor Bay, yet one look at Harper—a woman who happily lives out of a suitcase—leaves him speechless with desire for things he’s never had. He might not be big on talking, but Max’s toe-curling kisses are getting the message across loud and clear. Harper belongs here, with him, because things are only beginning to heat up…