Author:   Anne Calhoun

Book: The List – coming soon on 3/3/15!

Series: Irresistible

tl;dr recommendation: I know people will love this book, but it’s just not for me.

Book Summary:

Matchmaker and stationer Matilda Davies is in the business of connecting people. For those on her list, Tilda will find the man or woman of their dreams—whether it’s for an hour or a lifetime. Haunted by a traumatic past, the British ex-pat is driven to create lasting connections, but she’s never put her name on her list. Instead, she limits herself to emotionless hookups. Then she meets Daniel, who wants not just her body, but also her heart…

Daniel Logan hides the soul of a poet under the suit and tie of an FBI Agent. He specializes in financial crimes, piecing together stories of greed and devastation, then ensures justice is done. He plays by the rules—until he meets Tilda. The combination of passion and mystery draws Daniel deep into the dark, desperate past of the woman he fiercely loves.  Daniel knows that no matter her secrets, he’s the perfect match for Tilda, but even pleasure doesn’t come with a guarantee…

Longer Review:

I’m having a difficult time finding the right words to review this book. I’m not sure if I liked it, hated it, or am indifferent. I think I’m leaning towards the latter. Let’s go through my incredibly intelligent and complex analytical process (*coughs*) – I’m pulling from my sorority days here – known as PRO/CON/PRO:

Pro: Daniel. All things Daniel. He really saves this book for me. Really and completely. He’s an FBI Agent, dedicated to his job, dedicated to Tilda, dedicated to living. He’s attractive and direct and funny and possessive. He’s also incredibly talented with his hands and his mouth. This clearly helps skyrocket him into pro-category. More than that though, he’s in love with Tilda and ready to fight for this. Whatever this is.

Con: Tilda. I think I found my problem. I didn’t connect with her at all. The mask that she carried wasn’t for a good enough reason for me. Maybe it was? I just expected something more or different. I wasn’t super shocked and awed when she revealed her secret. Instead I was like “REALLY? That’s it? That’s why you’re a cold, frigid bitch most of the time?” And she was. I don’t hate her. I don’t love her. I, like Daniel’s sister, couldn’t figure out what Daniel saw in her for most of the book.

Pro: The ending. I really liked the ending before the last chapter. It’s a HEA, which was very necessary for me at the end of this book and it softened my feelings towards Tilda immensely. I was just really sad that it felt like forever to get there for me. Oops. We’re on pro. *stick with pro things, heather* (Note: the actual last chapter goes back to the beginning, thus, not really the ending, but sort of the ending, See Con below; however, I really liked that part too).

Pro: Tilda’s final chat with her mom. That was so necessary and I loved it. I could feel Tilda’s wall start to crumble and I finally felt something other than pissed at her.

Con: The time jumping. This was another major problem for me. We start out in present time, then after we get shocking news that makes me hate Tilda, we jump back to the beginning of their relationship until it walks us back up to present day. This could be why I didn’t connect with Tilda. Maybe I wouldn’t let myself because I was already super pissed at her? Perhaps. I felt like I was trying to race through the back story to get to the part that I cared about – like, WHAT HAPPENS NOW. I don’t think I do well with these type of time jumping story lines. So, this one may be on me.

Pro: In true former sorority girl form, we need to end on a pro. Thus, the sex scenes are a DEFINITE PRO. They are fantastically written and mmm….the heat and fire between Daniel and Tilda was never the issue for me – or for them. It’s hot and oh so good. Not lacking here at all.

Alright, I feel better now. As far as stars go, I think it’s a solid three from me. I can see how people can and will love this book, but it just wasn’t for me and that’s ok. Go read on release day and then tell me why I’m wrong!

*I received an ARC copy of this book from the Author via a Twitter contest of sorts. The above thoughts are my own*