REVIEW: Uncommon Passion by Anne Calhoun

In Uncommon Passion by Anne Calhoun, Rachel has left all she has known, including her father, when she left a religious compound that kept it’s people quite isolated from the modern world. Rachel loves her father, but had a yearning for more than the life she would have in the compound. She asked too many questions, had a desire to know so much … this is not a trait the compound wants it’s women to have. Rachel wants to experience life outside of the compound, she wants to be independent and do what she wants to do.

Rachel has found a job working on a farm. Her goal is to become a vet technician, something she is working hard towards, pushing past her fears of rejection and not being good enough. Rachel has other goals too…she has a list of things she wants to do that she’s never had the chance to. One of the biggest ones, one she is ready for, is to lose her virginity. When she buys a date with very sexy police officer Ben at a bachelor auction, hoping it will lead where she wants it to. Rachel is not looking for a relationship, but she is looking to experience all she can…and a night with Ben is a big part of that. Ben is ok with that, he’s used to having women want him – even just for a night.

The sexual intimacy Rachel experiences with Ben amazes her! Rachel does not tell Ben she’s a virgin…and he’s had a bit too much to drink to realize it until the next morning. Ben showing up at the farm the next morning is not at all what Rachel expects, but he wants another chance, a chance to show her how much better it can be. Ben has a lot going on in his life and his psyche. He doesn’t allow himself to be close to anyone, and he certainly doesn’t spend more than a few nights with a woman. But he is intrigued with Rachel and soon they are having regular Sunday meetings and are going places together. Rachel is eager to experience it all with Ben. Ben convinces himself he’s teaching Rachel about sex and casual relationships, but it just might be Rachel teaching Ben about feeling and caring.

Ben is not used to feeling. He works and loves the adrenaline rush he gets there, but he has shut himself off emotionally from almost everyone else for so long, that’s what he’s used to and that’s what he thinks he wants. When Rachel starts to crack through his shields, Ben decides it’s time to cut things off with her. The problem is they’ve both started caring more than either of them, especially Ben wants to admit. Rachel has so much she wants to share with Ben, and she sees beneath his tough exterior when few do…she might end up with a broken heart after all. Rachel is so open and honest, but will Ben be able to work through his issues? Or will Rachel move forward in her new life without him?

Wow, I loved Uncommon Passion! Anne gives us such a great story, and we learn so much about the characters. It was really interesting having the peak into what life was like for Rachel in the compound. Anne really showed us how courageous Rachel was to leave and start all over on her own in the unknown. Anne was a fantastic heroine, one we can really admire. She is strong, brave, and despite her fears of rejection comes across as confident. For a virgin she was absolutely in touch with her sexual side and very comfortable with it when she finally found it! Rachel is very open and honest. Ben comes across at times as cold and uncaring, but by giving us insight into his thoughts, Anne shows us who Ben really is and what lies underneath the surface. He’s protective, caring, strong…and despite his insistence on not getting involved with anyone, he finds it impossible not to get involved with Rachel.

Uncommon Passion was a really well rounded romance by Anne Calhoun. Yes, it is very explicit, but Anne writes all of it so well. It is a major part of the story and flows well with all the other happenings. Rachel has a lot of emotions about the compound and the people she left there, and I liked that Anne integrated these into the story and took the time to explore them, because this is a huge part of who Rachel is. Ben has a lot going on in his head…I liked seeing inside it and trying to figure him out!

You will really feel for and with both Rachel and Ben in Uncommon Passion, Anne brings them to life! I was thoroughly entrance by Uncommon Passion and highly recommend it to any romance reader looking for a strong story, strong characters, and hot sex scenes!

Book Info:

Published September 3rd 2013 by Berkley Trade

After leaving a restrictive religious community, Rachel Hill is on a mission to divest herself of her virginity. Newly independent and struggling to establish herself, she’s not looking for anything complicated. She bids on sexy SWAT officer Ben Harris at a bachelor auction, confident he’ll give her the night of her life and nothing more.

But Ben is jaded and detached, living his life in an endless cycle of danger-fueled adrenaline jags, drinking, and sex. When he misses the fact that his bachelor auction hookup is a virgin, he’s shocked by his obliviousness, and by the risk she took. To make amends, Ben offers Rachel all he can: a no-strings-attached sexual education.

Ben’s lessons introduce Rachel to down and dirty passion, but she’s searching for something more profound than sex, and she’s willing to walk away to find it. Ben can’t get Rachel out of his head, but will he come to terms with his troubled past and learn to love?