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I’ve read quite a few of Tiffany Reisz’s books, and I’m definitely a fan. She writes sex scenes better than many writers out there, and she also does good worldbuilding. In addition to all that, even when things happening in her books are all kinds of not okay with me, she does tell a vivid story. In Her Halloween Treat, she ventures into category romance with a story that is different from her usual, but quite a lot of fun.
Jolene (Joey) has traveled from Hawaii to her small Pacific Northwest hometown primarily for her brother’s wedding but also to hide out and lick her wounds a bit. She had been in a serious relationship with a co-worker that she thought was wonderful – until she flew to LA to surprise him and got the shock of her life instead. Not only did said boyfriend not live alone but it turns out that the woman answering his door is the wife that Joey never knew existed.
Joey’s brother owns several cabins as an investment and while home, Joey will be staying in one. Upon arrival at her cabin, she finds a contractor still at work on renovations inside. Said contractor turns out to be her brother’s close friend, Chris Steffensen. And as it turns out, Chris has grown up to be incredibly hot. Joey recognizes that she’s on the rebound, but cannot help being tempted by Chris. And so the hot sex begins.
Friendship is initially what gets rekindled but through the scenes Joey and Chris enjoy together, Reisz does a good job of showing that there is obviously something deeper underpinning what these two have in common. They – particularly Joey – may say that this is just going to be a physical fling but everything they pour into their more unguarded moments belies this and readers will see it long before the characters do.
Readers familiar with Reisz’s work will likely find the tone of this book quite different from, say, the Original Sinners series. After reading her earlier books, I had an appreciation for the author’s ability to create a world and also to take readers into some very dark and unsettling places. However, even in those books, one would spot touches of an irreverent, playful sense of humor.
With Her Halloween Treat, Reisz leans further into that sense of humor, creating a work that is far different in tone but also very entertaining to read. Parts of the story are certainly serious (Joey is recovering from a relationship nightmare, after all, and she and Chris have some history to sort through, too), but there is a lot of humor built into it as well. I enjoyed the wisecracks from Joey and friends as well as the overall playfulness that infused the book at times.
Parts of this book were a little slow for me in the middle and the continual “this is just a fling” talk wore thin, but other than that, this novel was a delight to read. The banter between Joey and Chris is both fun and funny, and after encountering one too many billionaires in category romance, I loved that both lead characters in this book seemed like normal people. If you’re looking for a cute and very sexy Halloween romance, definitely pick this one up.
Grade: B+
Book Type: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Hot
Review Date: 01/10/16
Publication Date: 10/2016
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
I enjoy spending as much time as I can between the covers of a book, traveling through time and around the world. When I'm not having adventures with fictional characters, I'm an attorney in Virginia and I love just hanging out with my husband, little man, and the cat who rules our house.
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Just finished this one and LOVED IT.
Great review! I loved this story! I haven’t read Tiffany Reisz’s other books (though I know a fair amount about them) and I was pleasantly surprised with how funny and sexy this one was. I had a digital copy but I bought a paperback when I saw it at my grocery store, and promptly lent it to a friend. I’ve got the other two upcoming holiday books of hers on my TBR!
Wasn’t it fun? I’ve read some of the Original Sinners books and also The Bourbon Thief. All of those are more intense, though there are some bits of cheeky humor to lighten the tension. I loved seeing Reisz explore that more humorous side in her writing with this book.
This sounds like fun; just downloaded! And Halloween is a different holiday romance.