My Book Filled Life: BLOG TOUR REVIEW - The Fix Up by Kendall Ryan

From New York Times Bestseller, Kendall Ryan, comes a sexy new standalone novel.

My tempting, and very alpha friend Sterling Quinn is someone I consider off-limits.

It's not just that we're friends, he's also cocky, confident, and British, which means he's a walking aphrodisiac.

But lately he's been giving me the look. You know the one. When he thinks I'm not paying attention, and his gaze lingers for too long.

And then we start working together, and that's when the sexual tension between us gets so thick, I want to hack through it with a machete. I want to make all these deep feelings I've harbored for him disappear, because there's no way this can end well.

The lines between business and pleasure become irrevocably blurred, and I'm stuck between a rock, and Sterling's very, very hard place.

Rather than keep a level head about our growing attraction, Sterling wants to go all in, showing me just how explosive we can be together.

But I've been around long enough to know that this British bad boy is more than my heart can handle. I'm not about to be cast aside like yesterday's underwear when he's done having fun.

Sterling’s never been told no, and he's not about to put his ego aside and play by my rules. But I never thought he'd fight so dirty.

So if you read the Hitched trilogy, you're already familiar with both Sterling and Camryn. At the start of the book is when Sterling receives news that immediately changes the course of his life, and that is why he and Camryn are now working together. Sterling is all British and sexy and yummy, and he really excels at dirty talk. Camryn is just as attracted to him as he is to her (although she's not sure of his attraction just yet), but after the way her ex left her, she's not even remotely thinking about a relationship. But hey, the heart knows who it wants.

What I liked about this book is that there isn't a whole lot of unnecessary side drama taking away from the main focus of the book; no crazy ex-significant others creating problems (well, there was one, but that was taken care of quickly). What I was shocked by was Camryn's friend and assistant Anna, what she did was straight-up ratchet, and then to come back like she thought everything would be alright? Not even cool! But I loved how Camryn dealt with that situation, very classy I must say.

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EXCERPT:

I twist the doorknob, and finding it unlocked, let myself inside.

Sterling’s place is compact, but modern and classy. It suits him. After a quick glance around the living space, I spot him on the balcony outside, just beyond the glass doors at the far end of the living room. He’s facing away from me, his hands gripping the railing, his head bowed.

My smile from moments ago is gone. Seeing him like this—looking distraught—brings the reality of our situation crashing back.

Sterling suddenly turns and we lock eyes. A thousand emotions are revealed in his eyes, but mostly there’s anger. There’s also a sadness in his gaze that I’ve never seen. It’s haunting.

I swallow a lump in my throat, wondering what’s going on.

“Sterling?” I ask, slowly approaching the balcony.

It’s beautiful—plush pillows and twinkling lights, and a chilled bottle of white wine all nestled together in a romantic picnic for two.

He lets out a heavy sigh and runs one hand through his hair.

“This is beautiful,” I say since he hasn’t spoken, hasn’t even moved from the spot where he’s rooted, and his stony silence is killing me. “Are you okay?”

“Just fine,” he says curtly, his gaze looking past me.

He doesn’t seem fine. He seems off. Why go through all the effort if he’s just going to act sullen and withdrawn?

And what could have possibly changed in the twenty-four hours since we last spoke on the phone? He seemed so excited—like he hadn’t a care in the world. Now it seems he doesn’t want me here.

“If this is a bad time, if tonight doesn’t work . . .” I trail off, my voice suddenly shaky.

“The meal’s already prepared.” He brushes past me, headed toward the kitchen.

Unsure what to do, I follow behind him.

He’s acting like an asshole, and I suddenly feel so stupid for getting all done up tonight. I’m not going to stand around and embarrass myself by begging for his attention.

“You know what? Never mind. This was a bad idea, anyway. I’ll see myself out.” I turn and head for the front door, anger and rejection dueling inside me.

It takes all of three seconds before Sterling’s long strides catch him up to me by the door. His grip around my wrist stops me. “Wait.”

I turn and face him. I’m halfway between wanting to flee and staying to hear his explanation.

He releases a heavy exhale. “I received a phone call just before you arrived.”

With him so near, the combination of his clean soap and his spicy cologne intoxicates me. Memories of our intimate dinner rush back. But apparently tonight is not meant to be a repeat. Waiting to see what he’ll say next, I inhale and hold my breath.

When he doesn’t continue, I ask, “Is everything okay?”

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She's a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she's appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.