Title:  Falling Into You
Author: Roni Loren
Publisher/Year:  Penguin Group  12/31/12
Length:  336 pages
Series: Loving on the Edge #3

Overview

The three beautiful words a man longs to hear from a woman…Teach me tonight.

When tomboy sports reporter Charli Beaumonde loses a dream TV job because she’s not girly enough for primetime, she’s determined to land a big scoop and prove her boss made a mistake. But when she gets too close to a football scandal and finds her life threatened, Charli accepts an offer from family friend Grant Waters to hide out at his place—even if Grant predicts nothing but trouble from his buddy’s hard-headed, uncompromising, irrepressible, younger sister. There’s one more problem…

Grant’s “place” is The Ranch, a BDSM resort in Texas, and he’s used to being in charge —even if that means trying to keep Charli in line. But much to Grant’s surprise, she’s intrigued—even envious—of his trainees. They’re the epitome of what she’s never been: sexy, beguiling, and totally irresistible to a man. Still, Grant doesn’t believe for a minute that the sharp-tongued Charli has it in her to be anyone’s submissive. But Charli’s already on her knees vying for the chance to prove that even the Master can be wrong sometimes.

My Thoughts

I really wanted to like this book as much as the first 2 in the series but i have to admit that i’m just not there with it.  I loved what we saw of Grant in the first few installments that i assumed that we’d get a GREAT story with him, but while it was a great effort by Roni Loren, it took a LOT of effort on my part to make it through the book.

We meet Charli in this story – a tomboy of sorts who works for a local version of ESPN and wants to get a promotion for the on-air anchor.  It’s not an easy road for her in a male dominated field, and she needs to prove herself she feels.  What adds to the challenge is that her ex is her boss and she works with a bunch of guys that want to see her fail.  She’s trying to break a huge story to get the promotion and that comes with it’s fair share of danger.

That’s what leads her into the arms of Grant actually when she’s on her way home late at night one evening and she almost gets run off the road by someone that she realizes is out to get her.  Grant runs to her rescue since her car accident happens really close to the Ranch and this is where their story begins.  Interestingly enough, we learn that Grant has a past with Charli’s brother since they were in the army together and Max (Charli’s brother saved his life) – so there’s an added dynamic there that is always underlying for Charli.  Are Grant’s actions because he cares for her or is attracted to her or is it a sense of doing what’s right by Max and paying him back for saving his life back in the military.

So this story takes us on the journey of Grant introducing Charli into the world of BDSM and ‘training her’ as his sub as a means to show her that she’s quite girly and delicate when she’s been told that she’s not and that’s why she’ll never be on camera at the station.

What we get between these 2 is an interesting dynamic.  Neither is in a place to have a real relationship nor do they thing that’s what they want – but they soon learn that what’s between them is more than just chemistry.  Because of promises that they’ve made to themselves though, it’s not an easy road for them, and most likely not going to lead to a happy ending.  We learn about Grant’s demons and why he won’t allow himself to get back into a long term relationship, and we lean about Charli’s drive which pushes romance to the back burner.

There’s a lot of steamy-ness written throughout since we get to see what Grant likes as the owner of The Ranch, and we get to see him introduce Charli quite quickly to the scene.  While there is a good balance among the scenes, i have to admit that i wasn’t quite as hot and bothered as i have found myself to be in the past 2 books in the series – so i was wondering where the disconnect was.  to be honest, i’m not quite sure – but that won’t stop me from picking up Melt Into You – the next installment of the series.

I’d love to hear if you guys have a difference of opinion though.  that’s for sure!