Series: (The Hurricane, #1)
Author: R.J. Prescott
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4.5-Stars
Cliffhanger: No
HEA: More like HFN
Emily McCarthy is living in fear of a dark and dangerous past. A gifted mathematician, she is little more than a hollow, broken shell, trying desperately to make ends meet long enough to finish her degree.
Through an unlikely friendship with the aging, cantankerous owner of an old boxing gym, Em is thrown into the path of the most dangerous man that she has ever met.
Cormac “the Hurricane” O’Connell is cut, tattooed and dangerous. He is a lethal weapon with no safety and everyone is waiting for the mis-fire. He’s never been knocked out before, but when he meet Em he falls, HARD. Unlike any other girl he’s ever met, she doesn’t want anything from him, but just being around her makes him want to be a better person.
They are polar opposites who were never meant to find each other, but some things are just worth the fight.
I’ll admit it: I judge books by their covers!
I know, I know… *hangs head in shame*
And even though I was intrigued by The Hurricane’s blurb, the real reason I was attracted—literally—to this book, was the smoking hot cover. I mean, come on, you totally understand right? How could I not judge those washboard ABS, sculpted pecs, and swirling tattoos and immediately want want want to own this book for that sexy bod alone?
“Truth be told, you only had to look a O’Connell to know that he was dangerous.”I thought I’d like The Hurricane well enough—it was a book about a broken girl and a hard-core fighter, after all. I just wasn’t expecting to like this book as much as I did. Because I really did, REALLY REALLY like it…
The Hurricane was written in first-person POV, with the heroine—Emily—narrating. I immediately connected to Emily, and continued to be both inspired and proud of her as she lived and loved through her fears. She was no wilting wallflower; she was a silent fighter.
“I’d been so caught up in surviving and staying free, that I’d forgotten that freedom was a state of mind.”And although the book is mostly written in Emily’s POV, the first and last chapter was written in the Hero—O’Connell’s—POV, which was a pleasant surprise. I loved getting that quick peak into his mind, to see Emily through his eyes and to fall in love with his all-consuming thoughts toward her. O’Connell made me fall for him hard and fast through his love for Emily. (Admittedly, his rockin’ bod and sexy-as-fuck Irish accent didn’t deter me either!)
“Long, inky black eyelashes framed the most hauntingly beautiful eyes I’d ever seen. As breathtaking as they were, they always held an edge of danger and barely controlled violence.”Emily and O’Connell’s love was both slow and soft, hard and fast. From the moment O’Connell sees her, he knows she’s his and he’s hers. But Emily—shy and tentative that she is—insists on just friendship as she heals from her traumatic past… although once Emily and O’Connell begin their romantic relationship…they don’t waste time in becoming each other’s present and futures.
“I will fight to make something better of myself, to be someone better. Someone you can be proud of. If you need me time, then I’ll give you time. If you need friendship, I’ll give you friendship. But you’re mine, and when the time is right, when you’re ready, I’m coming for you.”And heal, Emily does. With the help of her new-found friends and built-in family, she shares new-experiences—wild and crazy, laughable adventures that she’d never been able to do before—that opens her eyes to the world around her, that has her emerging from her protective shell. Emily’s character ARC was inspiring to see, and I rooted for her throughout her entire journey…
…just like O’Connell did. Because throughout the entire book (even though she tried for safety, for mere friendship) O’Connell was by Emily’s side, waiting for her to be ready for him, to accept his love—even while his character was evolving, becoming better for her. And it warms my heart, even thinking about how much that tough-as-nails fighter stood by her, fought for her, changed for her, and proved to her just how right, how safe they were together.
“Sunshine, fuck me every day like you did last night, and I’m at your beck and call.”O’Connell sewed “the seed of hope” between himself and Emily, and then spent “every day since watering and nourishing it”. That kind of devotion is rare—even in fiction—and it had me ‘ooohh’ing and ‘awwhhh’ing on every page.
The Hurricane has a 'Happy For Now' ending, and I sincerely hope to the bottom of my heart, that the author doesn’t taint O’Connell and Emily’s love with trivial drama in the next book. I hope she keeps their love true and beautiful, because it was O’Connell’s undying, unwavering love that made me love this book as much as I did.
“Is there anything I can do?” I whispered innocently.
“You’re doing it,” he said, and I could feel him smiling against my hair. “If I got to feel like this every night, I’d happily take a beating or two.”
“You know that cuddles with me do come without the beatings, don’t you?” I asked him.
“I know, baby,” he mumbled, “but at least this way I feel like I’ve spent a bit of every day earning them.”
But The Hurricane wasn’t just a love story, it was a story about healing and redemption, about fighting your fears—both past and present—and shedding the old skin you had to become the person you were meant to be. It was about fighting your demons, fighting for love and hope for a happily ever after.
“I’m gonna give you the fuckin’ world, baby,” he whispered against my lips. He kissed me quickly and grinning like a kid, threaded his fingers through mine.Reading this book, I laughed, I smiled, I swooned, and giggled; I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Even the secondary characters had my heart (NOTE: Kieran/Marie/Tommy…I totally ship that menage! lol, just kidding; it's just a fantasy... *sigh*). And if, in the future, any of the secondary character’s were given books—I’d definitely read them; I’m already that invested in their love lives. I want to see them fight their fears and fall in love, too.
Overall, I’d defiantly recommend his book for those of you that like hot, sexy fighters with a gentle touch (but make the sheets slick with sweat and gripped tight on moans) and also write silly little love notes hidden in secret places…
“I’m never letting you go. You know that, right?” he reminded me fiercly.
“Forever,” I whispered.
“Forever,” he agreed with a grin and went back to kissing me.
*PS: I was given an ARC of this book from NetGalley. But I do solemnly swear that I am up to... good. ;) This is a fair and honest review of this book. Pinky promise.*
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