by RC BOLDT
RC Boldt brings us this smart, sexy new standalone about a matchmaker/dating coach who's faced with the challenge of finding Mrs. Right for the city's beloved NFL wide receiver...
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She’s playing it safe. He’s playing for keeps.
DARCY
Growing up in the foster system, I learned the hard way that lasting love doesn't always come easy. Dating in the modern era can be daunting; the bar scene and dating apps leave you wondering if there's any hope in sight.
That's where I come in. Helping you break the “swipe-right” cycle, I’m dedicated to matching you with the love of your life.
Finding Mrs. Right for Dax Kendrick should be a piece of cake. Except nothing about this man is simple.
DAX
The NFL has given me more than I ever imagined—a roof over my head, food on the table, and a chance to provide for the family who sacrificed everything while I chased my dreams.
Maintaining a squeaky-clean image for my sponsors when my paycheck and the fruits of my endorsements are all women want is a hefty challenge.
I’d nearly given up when I hired Darcy Cole. Yet the more I’m around her, the less I care about finding my perfect match.
Because it might be right in front of me.
I want to get this off my chest: I am not a sweet romance reader and I enjoy my men burly and alpha, confident and strong. Given the territory we were working with in RC Boldt's newest book, With A Hitch, I was assuming this was the case. It was not. Hear me out!! I mean, he's a very successful NFL player. He's gonna be cocky and self confident. Have some grrrr tendencies.....right? RIGHT!!? Clearly, I'm the idiot because I obviously fell in love with a self assured, self made man. One that has his priorities in the right order and knows how to love a woman well, but also respect her too. And my gosh, Dax is delicious. But he's ALL the man needed in this book. And RC gave me yet another one to swoon over. I seriously just figured he was going to be a cocky jerk and Darcy was going to have her hands full. Well, her hands were full - but for all the right reasons and with all the right MAN. And whatta man he was. He had charisma and loyalty. He was down to earth and real. I fell in love HARD.
I walked into this book knowing that I love RC's stories. Her men, and even the strength in her women, are always admirable and easily loved, but I was leery about Darcy's profession. Having RC break it down for me and explain it, because that's what she does with her brand of ease within her writing and storytelling, she allowed me to fall in love and root Darcy on. I already knew I loved Dax from Ditched, so that was an easy win for me. But getting used to and being ok with a matchmaking service was a little odd for me. Yes, I totally know those services are out there...I just find them different.
Boldt showcased the delicate line of trust and vulnerability in intimacy exceptionally well between Dax and Darcy. Asking and giving, taking and receiving, desire and need. I absolutely loved that side of their relationship, because as strong as each character was, they were very....vulnerable. I loved Dax's tenderness and soft spoken side when he knew there was a problem that needed to be sussed out. I loved Darcy's stubbornness and strength when she felt susceptible, and I loved that Dax knew to talk her through things. Their relationship started out as friends, but it evolved into so much more. This was showcased brilliantly. A lot of laughs, some sigh inducing moments, and some deep breaths were had. Dax is the epitome of perfection, maybe even too perfect, but perfect nonetheless.
"Because Dax Kendrick single-handedly robs me of breath."
HIS FAMILY CRACKS ME UP!! I was laughing so hard when he was at home, talking with his family. Totally down to earth, normal family ribbing and joking. I am in love with them!!! It put into perspective who Dax truly was and how he came to be who he was, and it was just perfect. I would love to request Ava's story next, kthxbye. And Tank. And Watson. And and and....
Two things that bothered me, but not to the point of disliking the book.
Darcy was very back and forth - like, heavily. She liked him. There was NO doubt in my mind that she did. But she fought it, but gave in - like most level headed women in her shoes would, and yet she still questioned it after he admitted he wanted more. He. Wanted. More. Normally the back and forth doesn't bug me, but for some reason this one did. I am fairly certain it was because she was such a professional and her times of weakness centered around Dax and how sweet he was. I'll admit he made me weak in the knees too. But then after getting irritated about Darcy's wavering, I would stop and tell myself, "Self, there is more to this than surface level fear." She was a professional. She didn't want that stigma of a dating a client. So, of course I could understand why Darcy was very nervous about giving in to a love she ultimately couldn't deny. A few times I wanted to scream COMMUNICATE!! It was rough in a couple spots, but there was always a valid variable trying to mess with their flow....and it was usually all in her head.
The length of this book was almost too long. There was a lot of repetition from one chapter/POV to the next. What book nerd complains of a book that's too long? That's almost like an oxymoron, right? I think, for me, this one felt more wordy than necessary simply because of the repetitiveness of some of the chapter ends/beginnings/crossovers. Was it bad? No. Not at all. It was just loooong in a few parts. But then I sit back and tell myself, "Self, this was necessary for the setup and understanding of how each character handled their thought processes." And so I just needed to read it as it came.
I cannot state it enough that this was a great book!! It wasn't bad at all, but those two things bothered me. In the entire scheme of things, RC Boldt is brilliant with her comedy, and she is very enticing with her words. She can write me a love story that is smile inducing and heart pounding. She's an author I will always make time for on my schedule because she has always given me a story of love and overcoming anything to have that love come to fruition. I got caught up in this storyline very easily and really, really enjoyed it. I know there are some stories I am anticipating coming out of/spinning off of this one and I, for one, cannot wait to read them.
~BEE
~MEET RC BOLDT~
RC Boldt is the wife of Mr. Boldt, a retired Navy Chief, mother of Little Miss Boldt, and former teacher of many students. She currently lives on the southeastern coast of North Carolina, enjoys long walks on the beach, running, reading, people watching, and singing karaoke. If you're in the mood for some killer homemade mojitos, can't recall the lyrics to a particular 80's song, or just need to hang around a nonconformist who will do almost anything for a laugh, she's your girl.
~CONNECT WITH RC~
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I love your review Bee!
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