Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane Review

I love a good holiday book. Especially one that makes you feel good and happy. I saw Hunk For The Holidays by Katie Lane on Net-Galley, and it sounded great, though I must say, I really don’t like the name, or the guy on the cover. But I grabbed it anyway. I’m so glad I did! I really loved this book, and I would have enjoyed it any time of year. While the book is not overly memorable or unique, I still enjoyed every page. I smiled throughout, and stayed up all night reading.

Cassie is the Vice President in her family’s construction business. Though she has been relegated to an accounting-type position by her tough-as-nails, boy’s club father, she is more in love with the construction business than any one of her many brothers. Cassie is a jeans and work-boots kind of girl. She works so much, she has no time for a social life, outside of her assistant, single mom Amy, being her best friend. For social gatherings, Cassie hires paid escorts so all of the well-meaning family and friends won’t take pity on her and try to set her up.

The night of the company Christmas party, Cassie was working late, waiting for her paid escort, and had to change for the party in the office. But Amy, her assistant, in an effort to get Cassie to live life a little, switched out her boring outfit for a hot, short red dress and spiked heels. When Cassie sees a gorgeous man in the lobby, she immediately assumes it is her escort for the night.

“A man stood by the Christmas tree in the foyer. Not a man really, more like a vision. The clear lights that twinkled around his dark head made him look like something straight out of a dream. Man, Elite Escorts had outdone themselves this time. This was no gangly college boy in an ill-fitting rental tux, but a mature man in a tuxedo that looked made-to-order for his tall, muscular frame.

….

Cassie forgot to breathe.

….

She swallowed and tried to get her mind off his hot body and back in her head. It was difficult, especially when this wonderful eye candy stood so close and when she and Amy had just been discussing how long it had been since she’d had sex. But hot or not, she needed to remember that this man was one of her employees. She dealt with men all day long. Alpha men. She could handle some pretty boy who worked for an escort service.

She plastered on a smile. “Yes, I’m fine. It’s just that you’re early.”

The quizzical look remained, and he tugged up the sleeve of his jacket and glanced at a watch that looked an awful lot like her father’s Rolex. “No, I’m right on time.”

She waved him off. “It doesn’t matter. You’re here.” She grabbed the car keys from the desk and brushed past him. He smelled really good, like hot spiced cider and primitive lust. Or was the primitive lust her?

This “escort” was non other than the McPherson family’s biggest competitor in the construction business, James Sutton, there to meet with Cassie’s father. But at the sight of the beautiful woman willing to take him out, he decided not to correct her and just go with it. And WOW, did this couple hit it off! James charmed everyone in attendance, including Cassie. With a little meddling from hysterical, 90 year old Aunt Wheezie, the couple was bound for each other.

I loved all of the secondary characters. Cassie’s brothers and father were great characters. Aunt Wheezie was awesome, and Cassie’s assistant had a side story all of her own which I loved as well. In fact, I wish that story had a little more page time.

James had numerous opportunities to tell Cassie who he really was, but was afraid to ruin what they had going on. But when the truth comes out, they both make some pretty stupid moves, and one that turns out pretty funny. Sure, it was a fairly predictable story, but what romance isn’t?

Likes:

A happy, smile your face off story with funny moments and characters.
Great side characters.
Sexy, silly and touching, my favorite combination.
This is a full-length novel I read in a day.

Dislikes:

The name is cheesy and the cover isn’t much better.

Rating: 4.25 stars, 3.25 for Heat.

This is a fall-in-love fast kind of book. I, for one, believe in love at first sight. I met my husband over Christmas vacation and knew within 2 days that he was THE ONE. 25 years later, he is still the one. Hunk for the Holidays was fun, romantic, silly, sexy and just made me feel good.

Purchase Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane at Amazon || BN.com || iBooks

This book reminded me of RL Mathewson’s Checkmate (see my review here) but not quite as zany.

*Thank you Net-Galley for the ARC of this book.

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