Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Terrific second chance love story combined with a mystery of missing funds. Arrested for embezzlement at the end of the previous book (Trapped with the Texan), Asher Edmond sits in jail wondering what happened. He insists he is innocent, but no one believes him, not even his own family. SO he is shocked when former girlfriend Lani Li bails him out of jail.
Now a private investigator, Lani bailed Asher out for one reason - she needs him to lead her to the missing money her client wants recovered. If she succeeds, her PI business will get the boost it needs to survive. She neither knows nor cares if he is innocent.
I liked Asher, but I have to say he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Adopted by Rusty Edmonds when he married Asher's mom, Asher spent years trying to earn Rusty's approval before giving up. Instead, he lived down to Rusty's opinion, spending his time as a playboy polo player. After that, he took a job with the family business and barely paying lip service to that. But as the story went on, I saw a different side to Asher and realized there was more to him than initially portrayed.
I also liked Lani. A strong, determined woman, she fights every step of the way for the life she wants. She has a tough, cynical exterior that hides a heart wary of being risked again. Like Asher, I saw changes in her as the book progressed.
I enjoyed watching the development of Lani and Asher's relationship. Their previous romance occurred between two young, somewhat immature people who had differing goals in life. While Asher wanted Lani to go with him on his polo matches, she had her eyes set on a career with the FBI. Their parting affected them both when it came to future relationships. When Lani showed up to bail out Asher, the sparks between them flared again. Dismayed by her reaction, Lani fights her feelings, determined not to fall for his charms again. At the same time, Asher would love to pick up where they left off. He doesn't give up when Lani shuts him down.
I liked how Asher found ways to keep himself close to Lani. All that time together gave her the chance to see Asher in a new light. Complicating matters, the attraction between them proved to be irresistible. Slowly, the new Asher replaced Lani's memories of the old Asher, and the walls around her heart crumbled. At the same time, Asher admitted his past mistakes and struggled to become the man he thought she wanted. But none of it would do any good if Asher wasn't cleared of the embezzlement charges.
When Lani arrived in Royal, she was convinced that Asher was guilty of the charges. All she wanted was for him to admit it and tell her where the money was. She didn't believe his claims of innocence, but Lani also knew he couldn't help her from jail. Bailing him out came with the condition that she was responsible for him, requiring her to stay with him at his apartment. I liked how Asher's apparent cluelessness about some of the embezzlement's details opened Lani's eyes to the possibility that Asher had been framed. Some interesting scenes of their cooperation showed that they made a good team. I loved following their investigation and seeing that it ran along the same lines as my suspicions. I was glued to the pages when Asher took matters into his own hands and ended up in trouble. I felt the frustration when their quarry escaped but cheered when Asher managed to come up with a crucial bit of evidence. I can't wait for the next book and to see if the thief finally gets caught.
I loved the ending. Lani had a bit of fun jerking Asher's chain at the jail. Asher's big moment was terrific. I loved seeing his vulnerability as he opened his heart to Lani. I hope to see a little more of them in the next book.
Now a private investigator, Lani bailed Asher out for one reason - she needs him to lead her to the missing money her client wants recovered. If she succeeds, her PI business will get the boost it needs to survive. She neither knows nor cares if he is innocent.
I liked Asher, but I have to say he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed. Adopted by Rusty Edmonds when he married Asher's mom, Asher spent years trying to earn Rusty's approval before giving up. Instead, he lived down to Rusty's opinion, spending his time as a playboy polo player. After that, he took a job with the family business and barely paying lip service to that. But as the story went on, I saw a different side to Asher and realized there was more to him than initially portrayed.
I also liked Lani. A strong, determined woman, she fights every step of the way for the life she wants. She has a tough, cynical exterior that hides a heart wary of being risked again. Like Asher, I saw changes in her as the book progressed.
I enjoyed watching the development of Lani and Asher's relationship. Their previous romance occurred between two young, somewhat immature people who had differing goals in life. While Asher wanted Lani to go with him on his polo matches, she had her eyes set on a career with the FBI. Their parting affected them both when it came to future relationships. When Lani showed up to bail out Asher, the sparks between them flared again. Dismayed by her reaction, Lani fights her feelings, determined not to fall for his charms again. At the same time, Asher would love to pick up where they left off. He doesn't give up when Lani shuts him down.
I liked how Asher found ways to keep himself close to Lani. All that time together gave her the chance to see Asher in a new light. Complicating matters, the attraction between them proved to be irresistible. Slowly, the new Asher replaced Lani's memories of the old Asher, and the walls around her heart crumbled. At the same time, Asher admitted his past mistakes and struggled to become the man he thought she wanted. But none of it would do any good if Asher wasn't cleared of the embezzlement charges.
When Lani arrived in Royal, she was convinced that Asher was guilty of the charges. All she wanted was for him to admit it and tell her where the money was. She didn't believe his claims of innocence, but Lani also knew he couldn't help her from jail. Bailing him out came with the condition that she was responsible for him, requiring her to stay with him at his apartment. I liked how Asher's apparent cluelessness about some of the embezzlement's details opened Lani's eyes to the possibility that Asher had been framed. Some interesting scenes of their cooperation showed that they made a good team. I loved following their investigation and seeing that it ran along the same lines as my suspicions. I was glued to the pages when Asher took matters into his own hands and ended up in trouble. I felt the frustration when their quarry escaped but cheered when Asher managed to come up with a crucial bit of evidence. I can't wait for the next book and to see if the thief finally gets caught.
I loved the ending. Lani had a bit of fun jerking Asher's chain at the jail. Asher's big moment was terrific. I loved seeing his vulnerability as he opened his heart to Lani. I hope to see a little more of them in the next book.
La-Shauna F. (SHADY) reviewed How to Catch a Bad Boy (Texas Cattleman's Club: Heir Apparent, Bk 7) (Harlequin Desire, No 2821) on + 1266 more book reviews
Not my fav book in the series. Lani was annoying and hard to like. Made the book harder to read. I just wanted to know why Billy framed asher. I really wasn't interested in their reunion love story.
