Officer Off Limits by Tessa Bailey (Line of Duty #3)
Adult Contemporary. Very Loosely Connected Standalones
Does anyone have some quarters??? I think I need a trip to the vending machine, so I can meet a hot, alpha, dirty-talking cop like Daniel. I don’t read a lot of audiobooks, because they take me FOREVER. I started this one in June on the way to Book Bash, and finished last month. I had read the first and second book in the very loosely connected standalone series, and really enjoyed them. Officer Off Limits by Tessa Bailey was no different. I will rate the audio part separate from the story though, because I have to say, the narrator really was not my favorite. Please keep in mind, I can’t really take notes, so this review may not have 100% accurate quotes.
The book opens with Story Brooks’ fiancé dumping her 2 weeks before the wedding. I must say, I loved the heroine right from that scene (despite her annoying voice) because I loved the way she handled it…by buying the most expensive bottle of champaign and dessert, drinking it right out of the bottle and charging it to the asshole.
“Actually,” Story interceded with a bright smile, “I’d like a slice of chocolate cake and a bottle of your most expensive champagne, please. To go.”
With a shrug, she raised the bottle to her lops and took a long healthy swig. Whispers and uncomfortable laughter filled the room.
A man and a woman sat shaking their heads.
She gestured with the bottle in their direction.
“Oh, what are you looking at? He’s leaving me for someone with a bob. A fucking bob!
All ready to wallow in her sadness, she gets a call that her estranged father was in the hospital with a heart attack across the country in New York, and heads out there.
Story’s dad is an NYPD hostage negotiator, and his second in command is playboy Daniel Chase. As Story gets to the hospital, she spies Daniel flirting with the nurses. But when he sees Story later at the vending machines, he comes on strong, and is flat-out rejected for the first time. Sure, Story thinks he’s hot, but she was just engaged, and had no interest in a womanizer, despite how gorgeous he is. Imagine her surprise when she realizes that Daniel is her dad’s partner, and will be helping get settled in New York.
Daniel glanced at the bed behind her. “The things I want to do to you, Story, would take a lot longer than sixty seconds. Your phone’s battery would die well before I finished.”
“Then show yourself the door.”
“Set the damn timer.”
Damn…the chemistry between these two was HOT! I so wish I was reading it instead of listening, because it would have been WAY HOTTER.
Daniel had so much respect for Jack, Story’s father. And Jack told him hands-off. He knew about Daniel’s playboy ways, but he just couldn’t stay away.
Story’s best friend from college was in New York as well, and the two of them were funny.
Story is only in New York for a few weeks. Though it’s summer, she is a teacher in California, and needs to get back to her life once her dad is recovered enough. But Daniel will take what he can get.
Boy Daniel was as alpha as they come, both in bed and out. I loved how Story stood up to him and let him know she wasn’t taking that kind of crap from him. So much more happens in this book, there is suspense, a little angst and a crazy twist. But the big standout is Daniel’s completely hot, demanding dirty talk.
Likes:
- Holy Alpha Dirty talking sexy cop!
- I loved Story’s feistiness and banter.
- There was a perfect blend of heat and story. Neither was ever sacrificed.
- Lots of funny lines.
- Some twists, turns and surprises along the way.
Dislikes:
- 3rd person.
- The narrator was a very breathy, over-enunciating woman. I felt like I was listening to an old-style bodice ripper, rather than a gruff, dirty talking, take what he wants guy.
Rating: Story: 4.5 stars, Audio: 2.5 stars, Heat: 5 stars
Story:
Audio:
Heat:
Audiobooks are very hard to rate, because it is hard to separate your feelings for the reader from the actual story. In this case, the voice was so far from the way I think Tessa wrote it, that it really detracted from the story. The breathy, over enunciating narrator would be amazing for a more serious book, a historical book, or a very romantic book. But Officer Off Limits was gruff, dirty talking, hard and sexy–something the narrator just couldn’t pull off at all. I really loved the story though, and wish I had time to go and read it now. Though I prefer 1st person to 3rd person books, that’s one thing about an audiobook, you don’t really notice as much that this was in 3rd person.
I totally recommend this book, and anything written by Tessa Bailey. Though I didn’t love the narrator, I totally loved the story, and plan on reading everything Tessa writes.
DISCLAIMER: I tend to be picky about my audiobook readers.
Purchase Officer Off Limits by Tessa Bailey
Amazon (all) | BN.com | Audible
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Michelle M says
I just started listening to audio books. I find it much easier to get myself to clean the house! lol So far the narrators have been fine. Well, one I really couldn’t stand, but his was just a short scene. I like reading more, but I do enjoy listening once in awhile.
I really liked the first two books of this series! I will definitely be reading this one. I doubt I’d get the audio version.