Lovin' los libros

When a gorgeous young dancer walks through his door, a strip club owner must decide whether to follow his rules or his heart in the third novel by the author of One Tiny Lie and Ten Tiny Breaths.

Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine-year-old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year-old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her can't get distracted by romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, and that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.

My Review:

Every single time I read a book from this series, I find myself bitter and depressed. Why, you may ask? BECAUSE THEY END. I could read a never-ending book by K.A. and be so blissfully happy because her writing and her stories are THAT good folks. I fell head over heels in love with Ten Tiny Breaths and One Tiny Lie earlier this year and now Four Seconds to Lose has also captured not just my attention but my heart too.

I won't lie. When I first heard the third book in the series would be from Cain's point of view, I was a bit disappointed. I didn't connect with Cain in the other two books and I really wanted more Livie/Ashton, Trent/Kacey. We got a bit of Trent/Kacey and a minute of Livie, but you know what? Once I started reading about Cain and Charlie, I was no longer disappointed. Instead, I was hooked.

I was immediately drawn in from the first chapter as we get a taste of what Cain's prior life was like before he came to own Penny's. Cain comes from a rough past and definitely knows the meaning of pain and heartbreak. However, ten years later, Cain is no longer that boy who makes a living by fighting or who gives up on his family only to have his chance of making things right blow up in his face. He lives a successful, stable life and while his job is one he can easily walk away from, he won't turn his back on the people and friends he's accumulated from it. Cain is determined to help people that are in need- most of them including his female staff. He wants them to have a better life besides dancing, bartending, and doing private shows. Cain never could save his sister, so he tries to make amends by helping others and hoping they will find their way to a better life.

I am in love with Cain. There I've said it. Because it's true. Cain is such a good guy. Charlie describes him as aggressive and emotional, which couldn't be a more perfect description. He isn't afraid to protect his own and while he can seem menacing, he really is kind and caring and has a softer side. Meeting Charlie really throws Cain for a loop. She reminds him of a love that he had lost and the more time he watches her and spends time with her, the more he wishes he could have her. Yet, Cain does not cross that line with his employees and as Charlie is his newest, the battle rages within to give in to want and need or to keep things professional.

Charlie, on the other hand, does a great job of being unreadable. In fact, she has that cool, smooth exterior down perfectly, which makes it difficult for people to truly get to know her. This is all for reason, however. Charlie is far from an ordinary girl just looking for a job to make a little cash. Charlie has secrets- dangerous ones- that if exposed could not only hurt her, but others around her. She never expected to walk into Penny's Palace and discover that she could fall in love or find true friendship within those walls. I felt so bad for Charlie because she has lived such a dangerous life, and has gotten so deeply involved in something that she never should have gotten involved in. She trusted her stepfather to take care of her and protect her, as he was always lavishing her with gifts, and yet he sent her out into a life of crime and lowlifes to do his dirty work. Yet, Charlie has a fierceness to her and she is determined to get out. She is slowly siphoning money into another account so that she can free herself from her stepfather's hold and start a new life- unburdened and free.

I loved Charlie and Cain's teasing. It is so subtle in the beginning that you could feel the tension between them. So close and yet so very far! Their first kiss made me giddy and my inner cheerleader was shouting for joy at Cain for making his move. He never planned on Charlie or a relationship, but once he had both he was ready to jump in feet first. It was cute how he instantly wanted in with her- and kept thinking about the future. For a guy who had never done a relationship, he didn't know how to take things slow and I think that's what made him more endearing. Because when you want someone- all of them- all thought and reason just goes out the door. You would do anything to make them yours and Cain does that. *shiver*

Nate, Ginger, and Ben were such great secondary characters. Ginger was a real friend to Charlie and didn't hesitate in helping her when she needed it or just spending time with her. Ben has always been that flirty guy who is willing to step in and make a situation lighter and yet he is also fiercely loyal to his friends. It was cool reading about Nate and Cain's history and seeing just how far back those two went. Cain is a great role model for Nate and I love that Nate stuck around with him after all those years. We do get to see some of our old crew as I mentioned earlier. Kacey, Trent, and Livie make abbreviated cameos, as well as Storm and Dan.

Overall, I thought this was an excellent addition to the Ten Tiny Breaths series, and I really think we need either Ben or Nate's books next! K.A. never ceases to leave me breathless and satisfied by her books, and as much as I hate to see them end- I am always ready to pick up her next book.


 

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