Joint Review: Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl

Sophia: Start Me Up is the second book in Tumble Creek series by Victoria Dahl. We’ll start this time by talking about the hero, Quinn. I’m not going tip-toe around this. I LOVED QUINN! I have a real fondness for nerdy types in romance. They are always sex gods in disguise. I love that! *ahem* Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, how did you feel about Quinn as the lead in this book?

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Catherine: I am right there with you.  Quinn was fabulous!  He was so sweet and nerdy and then he would morph into the “sex ninja.”  It never felt out of place with his characterization either, which I definitely appreciated.  I liked how normal he seemed.  That’s one of the things I appreciate most about Dahl’s characters.  The friends hang out and banter back and forth without seeming like they’re trying to be friends.  Know what I mean?  They just are friends.

I also really liked that Quinn was Molly’s brother.  The falls-for-the-best-friend’s-sibling is a favorite trope of mine anyway, but it also added a nice bit of tension and secrecy in the beginning.  Watching Molly bust Lori out was hilarious!  Even though Quinn was my favorite character of the two I still enjoyed Lori–although she did grate a tad at the end.  What did you think of her?

Sophia: The friends-to-lovers or falls-for-the-best-friend’s-sibling troupe are also a favorites of mine. Mostly because the couple already have a history, they know each other and then we get the excitement of the hero and heroine realizing there is a new layer to their relationship. In Lori and Quinn’s case they went straight for the sexy times and the rest followed but it was believable because they had a friendship first.

I liked Lori for the most part. I liked that she was ready to spread her wings, and fulfill a few fantasies and I thought it was great that she chose her long time friend Quinn to take a walk on the wild side with. Their chemistry was great and since they had a history she trusted him. Lori was fun because she was wanting to be adventurous and live out some romance novel fantasies but her discomfort in letting loose and inner dialogue was quite comical at times. Good thing she had that ‘sex-ninja’ to help her out. *wink*

What bothered me about Lori–and what put a pock mark on this romance for me–was Lori’s treatment of Quinn when it came to their friendship. As I’ve said they had history and it seemed once they took things to the bedroom she dismissed the friendship. At one point she suffers a pretty serious injury and completely shuts him out knowing it would hurt him. I know at that point she was nervous about the romantic feelings that were seeping into their relationship but they were friends before all else and I thought Lori treated Quinn poorly and it bothered me.

Catherine: I, unfortunately, noticed the same thing.  That’s what made her grate on me toward the end.  I could understand her position about not wanting to start a relationship, but she seemed to forget their friendship at times in her rush to make it clear they weren’t a couple.  I knew where she was coming from, but it was like she couldn’t see the forest for the trees.  I ended up feeling sorry for Quinn because he was so eager to help her and so hurt by her refusal to let him.

But I can’t say that he was perfect either.  There at the end when he tried to decide her future he really took a misstep with me.  I was glad she didn’t just roll with it.  Because even though some of the stuff he said was true, it really wasn’t his place to say it.  She was absolutely right, it’s her life.  Who is he to think that he knows best?  What do you think?

Sophia: I had the feeling that Quinn went into panic mode with Lori at that point. He realized his feelings for her were the real deal and he felt he had to do something or she was going to slip right through his fingers. Unfortunately what he did was wrong, wrong, wrong. LOL.  But I have to say, Lori’s reaction made me feel better about her as a character. Her likability factor went way up when she stood up to him. That was a pivotal point in their relationship where lines were drawn and they would either sink or float. Fortunately the author did not take the easy way out and resolve this stand-off in a few paragraphs, and I found the relationship to be very believable.

I want to switch gears here and talk about the mystery in this book. Although the story was mainly focused around the relationship between Quinn and Lori, there was a bit of a mystery and a villain. I was actually quite sympathetic toward the so-called bad guy and although I suspected him early on, I held out hope for him throughout the story. I have to say I was a little sad in how the mystery played out. What are your thoughts?

Catherine: It made me sad too.  I saw it coming as well, but not the why of it all.  When I found out the whole story I felt bad for the “bad guy” but I also totally understood Lori’s reaction and ended up being proud that she reacted the way she did.  It was so smart and not like the standard Romance heroine’s usually react.  Often they’re a bit too sympathetic and forgiving (to the point of stupidity) for my taste.  Lori reacted like a rational person would and booked it.  I really liked that she struggled with her feelings about the bad guy after all was resolved.

How did you feel about the HFN (Happy For Now) end instead of the standard I-love-you-let’s-get-married HEA (Happily Ever After) ending?  I’m really glad that Dahl left it like that.  It felt more realistic and hopeful than it would have been would have been otherwise.  I noticed that Ben and Molly are still only dating as well.  I like the slower, measured pace of the relationships in this trilogy.  Do you like that as well or would you prefer a more concrete relationship?

Sophia: Since I read romance almost exclusively I’ve come to expect the full-on HEA ending. I admit at first it felt like a little something was missing not having the whole relationship tied up and a neat little bow. But again, Dahl’s stories have a nice realistic feel to them and it is quite refreshing that she holds true to that even in the end. Plus, who knows, maybe there’s more stories that need to be told in the romantic relationships in Tumble Creek? *crosses fingers*

Catherine: I tend to prefer a concrete HEA in most books, myself.  But I actually appreciated the HFN in this trilogy (so far) because they just didn’t feel ready for the HEA yet.  I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m glad Dahl didn’t just tack one on because it was supposed to be there.

Before we wrap this up I have to mention the sexy factor in this book.  Quinn really got into his “research” and was perfectly willing to experiment and see what turned Lori’s crank.  That scene behind the restaurant…. *fans self*  I also love that we saw them have sex without any games or role-playing.  It really helped show me that it wasn’t just the thrill of the experience that was making it so good for them both.  I enjoyed the little snips of the erotica we got to see, too.  I thought it was a fun touch.

Sophia: The restaurant alley scene was one of the best sex scenes I have read in while. WOW! The heat and passion between Quinn and Lori was so intense. I really liked that not only was Quinn into Lori’s fantasies but he seemed genuinely surprised at his own response to some of the bedroom games they played. It wasn’t overdone, just fun and sexy.

So to wrap up, I really enjoyed this second installment of the Tumble Creek series. Lori and Quinn had great chemistry, I loved their easy humor and I was invested in the romance. The sex was smoking hot and Quinn’s title as ‘sex ninja’ stands. Lori’s dismissal of her friendship with Quinn and her treatment of him at times threw me out of the romance groove and frustrated me but all in all Start Me Up was an enjoyable, entertaining read. 4 hearts.

Catherine: Despite the few minor irritations mentioned, I really enjoyed this book as well.  I can’t wait to get to Jane’s story!  4 hearts from me.

 

Sophia’s Favorite Quote:

“I do feel sort of like a harem girl being called up for the sultan’s latest pleasure.”

Catherine’s Favorite Quote:

“Aaron, listen. Please. I will never sleep with you. And I will never sleep with anyone else in front of you. Nor,” she interrupted when he opened his mouth to speak, “will I sleep with someone you know and then tell you about it. Is that clear enough? Just drop it, all right?”

‘But…” He looked confused, not believing even a gay woman wouldn’t want to sleep with Aaron, god of the hot river guides. A deep crease of thought appeared between his eyebrows. “But I thought we were friends.”

”Oh, for God’s sake. I don’t even know what to say to that.”