REVIEW: The Most Expensive Night of Her Life by Amy Andrews

The Most Expensive Night of Her Life by Amy Andrews: Blake Walker knows how to do a lot of things. He’s great at keeping a schedule, he’s a perfectionist when it comes to woodworking, and he has a bit of experience with flying bullets. Ava Kelly, supermodel and diva wasn’t something he’d planned to deal with when his renovation job was over. Blake admitted, he couldn’t keep his eyes off her, and she seemed to love the work he and his crew had done to her house. But with a month-long vacation coming the day after this job was done, he’d be glad to see the back of her.

Ava wasn’t used to people who weren’t intimidated by her. Not that she liked that kind of attention, but there was just something about Blake – her very handsome contractor – that made her want to bait him at every turn. She could see that her over the top complaints got to him, but he just wouldn’t let his irritation show. It was infuriating. Especially when she not only admired his handiwork, but the delicious package he came in.

Neither of them expected his hidden talent to come in handy on the last day of the job. Ava is just about to bid goodbye to Blake when shots fire and he tackles her to keep her safe. Totally swoon-worthy. Okay, the swooning may have been partly due to the knot on her skull when she hit the pavement, but that’s not important. What is however, is taking some time off under the radar so the police can find out who’s after her. Her agent wants to book her in to her regular hotel, but something tells her she’ll be safe with Blake – just for one night.

Blake is shocked when she asks him to meet her at the hospital. After all, she’s not hurt too badly – and his servitude to her is at an end. He can’t help it if she’s got some weirdo trying to gun her down. He did what he always does. Reacted like a soldier. He didn’t go above and beyond – he just helped another person when the chips were down. When she asks to stay with him for a night until she can figure out what to do, his answer is clear. A firm NO. But she knows his weakness. His sister runs a charity for wounded soldiers that needs an infusion of cash to continue operating, and she’s willing to donate it. Blake can’t be selfish and say no to help for his sister – after failing her when she needed him most.

When ‘one night’ turns into ‘take me along on your boating vacation’ – Blake’s had enough. There’s no way he can stay cooped up in his one-bedroom houseboat for a week or more. But Ava manages to pull another trump card. Not only will she donate the million pounds, she’ll become her sister’s high-profile benefactor. Against every one of his better judgments, he feels like he has to say yes.

Both Blake and Ava have issues with trust, but can they trust each other enough to give in to their attraction and keep it casual? I guessed no, and I was right. 🙂

I loved this book. Really, truly, loved it. That’s saying something, because after reading the first few pages, I was ready to hate Ava. Swanning about her property making demands of the ‘servants’ (that’s never said btw, just the feeling I got). But when the perspective changes from Blake to Ava – her attitude is explained immediately.

Both of the main characters have perception issues – some dealing with their bodies, and some dealing with how other people see them through their actions. Ava was more comfortable with her problems, but she’d been dealing with them her entire life. Blake’s were more recent, and much more serious. I was touched by how Ava reacted to each new thing she learned about Blake – and I’m ashamed to say I might not have handled things as tactfully as she did.

Amazing story, great characters, really intense situations, and super hot love scenes. Give Ava a few pages and I think you’ll like her. Blake… I have no allusions – you’ll want him to be your boyfriend.

Book Info:

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Published November 19th 2013 by Harlequin KISS  | Book #41

Her million-pound question!

Supermodel Ava Kelly is more used to luxury yachts than London canal boats. But she desperately needs a refuge from the paparazzi and delectable Blake Walker’s boat will provide the perfect bolt-hole. This brooding ex-soldier is bound to rescue her, right…?

Wrong. Pampered princess Ava is the last person Blake wants in his personal space–she’s far too tempting! But with a million-pound charity donation hanging in the balance Blake can’t say no. Now that Ava’s close enough to touch, keeping his hands off her is pretty difficult, too! Maybe money isn’t the only thing at stake this Christmas….