ARC Review – You’re the One (Bad Boys of Red Hook #2) by Robin Kaye

You’re The One is another fine example of a well written story and it is one of my favorites for the year so far and gives me another hero to measure other heroes against. ~ Slick, Guilty Pleasures

Description:
Logan Blaise expected to be taking a quick break from his successful vineyard in Napa to visit his hometown of Brooklyn. But what he finds is a complete mess: His father is sicker than he’d imagined and Logan is responsible for keeping the family restaurant running smoothly. When the chef quits, he’s forced to hire the first person who applies for the job—Skye Maxwell, a beautiful enigma with great skills and gaps in her résumé.Skye is determined to make it on her own, without trading on her famous family name. Working in the community of Red Hook offers the perfect opportunity to stay out of the limelight while pursuing her dreams. At first glance, charismatic Logan seems exactly like all the shallow men she knew back home. But as she notices his small-town roots and strong family ties, the Brooklyn bad boy and his restaurant start to feel exactly like where she really belongs .

 

Review copy provided for an honest review

It’s always hard for me to write reviews for books I love so much. I worry that I won’t get my point across, that my words will be incoherent, that people will think I need to be medicated for the safety of others, most of all I worry that I’ll disappoint the author’s fans which is something I would hate to do. I’ve been reading Robin Kaye’s work since I downloaded a free copy of Romeo, Romeo about 2 1/2 years ago. I was immediately hooked and I’ve since read everything the woman has written. The hero from that book, Nick Romeo, is the one I have measured all of her other heroes against and while there have been many I have loved up until now, Nick stood on top of that pedestal all alone. After reading You’re The One, it’s time for him to move over because Logan Blaise is now standing up there right alongside of him and damn that is one pretty sight!

Logan Blaise…where do I begin? His childhood was not pretty, in fact it was pretty horrible until Pop (Pete Callahan) rescued him and gave him a home along with his “brothers” Storm and Slater. From there on out he worked hard and make something of his life. He’s been living the life in the wine country of California and is engaged to his boss’s daughter whom he readily admits he doesn’t love because he’s incapable of that emotion but it makes good business sense. Then he comes home to help run Pop’s bar and grill while Storm and Bree are on their honeymoon and his life is turned upside down; he rekindles old relationships, makes new friends, and begins to get to know the little girl who could possibly be his daughter. On top of that the day that Skye Maxwell walks in hoping to be the bar’s new chef Logan’s life is turned completely upside down and he begins to realize he misses the “old” Logan and how very little he recognizes the man he’s become.

When Skye Maxwell turns 30 she realizes that her father and brothers are never going to take her seriously as a chef, so what’s a girl to do? She packs her bags and heads for the furthest place from California, New York. Once there she realizes she has some holes in her great escape plan but after talking with her best friend, Kelly, she sets out to prove her worth as a chef. When she walks into the Crow’s Nest to answer a help wanted sign, she senses her life is about to change…she just has no clue how much.

Logan and Skye don’t get off on the right foot but this is mostly because Skye knows who Logan is and is worried he might recognize her. Logan on the other hand is fighting the lust he feels for Skye knowing that it is all kinds of wrong because he’s engaged. Meanwhile Pete, Nikki, and the rest of the Crow’s Nest gang all take Skye in and make her feel welcomed and a part of their odd little family. Skye tries to stay clear of Logan which disturbs him greatly. After an unscheduled visit that brings many of Logan’s secrets to the forefront, he breaks up with his fiancée and soon finds himself pursing the elusive Skye. I admit it was kind of fun watching Logan try and figure her out and why she resisted him so. I truly felt for Skye when their first little interlude was discovered and how mortified she was by it all. When she finds herself bombed after an evening with the girls, Logan is there to pick up the pieces and take care of her and I’ll admit this is when I fell completely and totally head over heels in love with the man. Any man who takes care of a woman not at her best especially when they’ve only just begun seeing each other is a keeper.

I’d like to say that it’s all wine and roses after that, but it’s not. Skye’s refusal to share her history with Logan and Logan’s work obligations lead to some really gut wrenching and emotional moments. While it’s easy to blame one or the other for their issues, I feel they were both at fault. Neither one was completely honest with the other one which led to a lot of trust issues. I must give kudos to Pete and Mary (Skye’s mother) for making both of them see the error of their ways and getting their act together.

I really can’t say enough good things about this story; the characters have depth, the story is emotional, humorous, and sexy as all get out, the dialog is entertaining, and the problems this couple faces is realistic. You’re The One is another fine example of a well written story and it is one of my favorites for the year so far and gives me another hero to measure other heroes against. After this book, I’m wondering if Robin Kaye is going to be able to make me like Slater, I kind of doubt it at this point but if anyone can do it…she can!