Review: Becoming Rain by K.A. Tucker
Becoming Rain (Burying Water #2)
by: K.A. Tucker
Publication Date: Mar. 3, 2015
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Age Group: New Adult
Source: e-ARC received via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Page Count: 384 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.25/5 stars
Luke Boone doesn't know exactly what his uncle Rust is involved in but he wants in on it-the cars, the money, the women. And it looks like he's finally getting his wish. When Rust hands him the managerial keys to the garage, they come with a second set-one that opens up the door to tons of cash and opportunity. Though it's not exactly legal, Luke's never been one to worry about that sort of thing. Especially when it puts him behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 and onto the radar of gorgeous socialite named Rain.
Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game-at only twenty-six years old, she's one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington D.C. major crime unit, and she's just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the west coast's most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she'll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle's footsteps.
As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she'll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she'll even want to.
Clara Bertelli is at the top of her game-at only twenty-six years old, she's one of the most successful undercover officers in the Washington D.C. major crime unit, and she's just been handed a case that could catapult her career and expose one of the west coast's most notorious car theft rings. But, in order to do it, she'll need to go deep undercover as Rain Martines. Her target? The twenty-four-year old nephew of a key player who appears ready to follow in his uncle's footsteps.
As Clara drifts deeper into the luxurious lifestyle of Rain, and further into the arms of her very attractive and charming target, the lines between right and wrong start to blur, making her wonder if she'll be able to leave it all behind. Or if she'll even want to.
Despite a slower start, this book blew me away! Tucker did an amazing job with the intricacies of the plot and I remember thinking, 'Wow, this is so detailed and well thought out!' I absolutely adored the plot of this one. I know I mentioned a slower start, but I think it's because I was getting antsy with the romance. I wanted things to start happening sooner than they did. But once they do... oh my. I really ended up loving Luke and Rain together and I was heartsick over the fallout you know is eventually coming for them.
I think what got me in the beginning is that Luke didn't really notice Rain and it took awhile for her to work her magic on him. I felt bad for her because she's a little confused as to why she's not drawing him in. She's everything he could want, so why so much work? Luke has a lot going on, what with trying to get into his uncle's secretive business. As the blurb states, Luke isn't quite sure of what exactly is uncle is involved in, but knows it will bring him everything he could want, including his respect. Luke's uncle, Rust, is a father figure to him, and while he might not be involved in the most legal of things, he didn't come across as a bad guy- just that of a businessman. This business however, has attracted the watchful eye of the FBI and that is where Clara, I mean, Rain, comes in. It is her job to get close to Luke and hopefully bust open the entire illegal car ring operation.
I love how Rain works her way into Luke's life, making him reevaluate his stance on relationships. He hasn't had time for one previously and is happy with his set up with a no strings waitress, Priscilla. However, he likes the way Rain carries herself and how real she is. It's funny that he thinks this, considering Rain is an alias, but still- she does let parts of her true self come out, so I don't feel it was a complete lie. I felt for Rain. As she gets to know Luke, she can't help but hope that he isn't a bad guy- but just a misguided one. The deeper Rain gets with Luke, the more the lines start to blur between the man who is her target and the man she's slowly falling for. Seeing her so torn over what she knows she has to do is heartwrenching and the fact that she is hiding things from her team really worried me because I didn't want her to lose Luke, but I didn't want her to sacrifice her job either.
Overall, I really liked this one. I would have liked a bit more from the epilogue, but I feel it was still a fitting way to end the book. I am also so happy we got to see a bit of Alex and Jesse too. It always makes me happy when we get to check up on previous characters and make sure they're doing well together. Even though this book started off a bit slower paced for me, I promise you it picks up and I was completely enraptured with the story, the romance, and the anticipation of what was to come and how it would all end. K.A. Tucker is one of my favorite authors and I am happy to report that this one did not disappoint!
12 comments
I'm so happy you enjoyed this one! I definitely agree--Becoming Rain had a bit of a slow start but once the case got going it hit the ground running and I just couldn't put this book down.
ReplyDeleteLily @ Lilysbookblog
Yay! I'm glad you felt the same way about it! I really loved Luke and Clara. :)
DeleteYay, Jessica! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one so much! :) I was blown away by how well the author handled the plot and how intricate it was too. I agree that it did take some time to get their relationship really going, but once it did! WOAH! <3
ReplyDeleteI was still so nervous though. I knew things were going to blow up, but the author handled it well and I'm glad their separation wasn't too angsty. I can't wait for the next book! I seriously hope it's Elmira and Warner! :D They haven't even met yet and I'm already shipping them like crazy!! :D
Lovely review, Jessica!
YES! There's something about the tension that just propelled the book forward for me!
DeleteI've never read a book by K.A. Tucker before but boy, do I want to! This author's books sound like the type that take your breath away and make you feel so much heartache for the characters. I should really hurry up and catch up with them all. Thanks for the awesome review, I'll go straight to Goodreads and add it to my tbr so I won't forget to check it out later. ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope you do Melissa! She is a favorite author for sure. I can't wait to read the next one!
DeleteGreat review, Jess! I definitely want to read this series - it sounds so different for NA. Hopefully I'll end up liking Burying Water, because this plot especially sounds so intriguing (tho I hope Priscilla isn't in the picture for very long???)
ReplyDeletePriscilla is a non-issue. She really only makes a couple appearances and it wasn't anything important. I hope you like these too!
DeleteOh, slow-start books are a killer for me nowadays, but I am happy to hear that it picks up. I haven't read anything from this author or this series, but it does sound good.
ReplyDeleteThey can be for me too Vi. My attention span doesn't like them. Still, it's K.A., so I knew she wouldn't disappoint!
DeleteI'm definitely looking forward to this one. I'm a little nervous that it starts slow because sometimes I have a difficult time sticking with a book that doesn't grab me from the beginning, but K.A.'s never failed me in the past, so I'll take that as a good sign.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I need to read this one soon.
Agreed Kim! I think you'll like this one alot. :D
DeleteLeave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.