Review: Ahead in the Heat by Lorelie Brown

Ahead in the Heat
Author: Lorelie Brown
Reviewer: VampBard
Rating: A

What I’m Talking About:

Quickie Review. Warm weather. Rippling ocean water. A man out of his element, and a woman longing to return to hers…even though she didn’t know it. Sean and Annie’s story is one of the sweetest I’ve read in a while.

Athletes have always intrigued me. From the time I entered high school, I have always appreciated a fit male form as a work of art. Athletes are artists. They sculpt their bodies to perfection. When they fail, or are injured, there’s all sorts of emotions. Reasoning, begging, and rehab. Lots and lots of rehab. Sean has come back home after a bad wipe-out on the surfing World Championship Tour, and needs rehab on his torn-up shoulder. Great athletes want the best for their bodies, and they don’t skimp on physical therapists when the need arises. It was interesting watching Sean’s emotional investment through the course of the book. I was surprised at several points by things Sean said and did. Even though the story turned out just fine.

Annie has been burned by the surfing world. She’s also the best physical therapist. Period. With a heart of gold, she offers her home / office as a haven for youth. She aspires to do more for the kids than she currently is, and has plans to make it happen. With demons of her own, Annie goes through some pretty amazing changes. She’s also got a huge moral compass that keeps her doing the right things, and helping others. I really liked Annie because even though she was just a little thing, she was FIERCE.

I think the best thing about Ahead in the Heat is that it’s told in a natural manner. It’s believable. I feel like I know the characters, and that I could hang out with them. Double-date. I connected with the characters as though they were good friends. There’s probably other things, but I can’t quite put my finger on them. I think it’s a compilation. The way Ms. Brown twined Sean and Annie together felt natural and it tugged at my heart. I think I may have gotten wrapped-up in the story and I let the emotion roll me through the book. It’s that hard-to-define ‘I love this book’ state.

I’m loving the Pacific Blue series. It’s earned the number one slot for sports stories for me. I can’t wait to read future installments!

My Rating: A, Loved It

About the Book:

Sean Westin finds himself on the beaches of San Sebastian as he recovers from a bad break. But he’ll need more than sand and swells to heal his heart….

The surfing World Championship Tour is under way, and Sean Westin is desperate to make his mark—until a stupid display of machismo in Bali leaves his shoulder busted. He has six weeks to get back on the waves or he may be looking at the end of his career.

Annie Baxter is the best physical therapist in the business, and she knows it. After almost joining the pro circuit herself, she’s wary of working with big stars and their huge egos. But Sean is making her an incredible offer—full funding for her after-school skate center for underprivileged kids—and she’s finding him hard to resist….

As intense therapy sessions turn into passionate intimacy, Sean unleashes a wild side of Annie that she’s suppressed for years. Only, Sean’s keeping secrets, and when his hidden history comes to the surface, everything—even Annie—might get torn away. 

Release Date: January 6, 2015
Publisher: Signet
Series: Pacific Blue #2
ISBN: 978-0451468437
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (335 pages), e-book
Book Source: NetGalley

Purchase Info:
Ahead in the Heat (Pacific Blue #2)

Reviews in the Series:
Riding the Wave by Lorelie Brown (Pacific Blue #1)