Books & Spoons Review: TAKING THE HEAT by Victoria Dahl

Passion this hot can't be faked…

All revved up for bright lights and steamy nights, writer Veronica Chandler chased her dreams to New York City. When she hit a dead end, reality sent her back home to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Saving her pride and her new gig—writing a relationship advice column!—requires some faking. No one can know the truth about her big-city flop or her nonexistent sex life. But the town's irresistibly rugged librarian is determined to figure her out… and give her hands-on lessons in every wicked thing she wants to know.

Gabe MacKenzie's heart might be in Wyoming, but secretly his future's tied up in his family's Manhattan legacy. Getting down and dirty with Veronica is supposed to give him a few memorable nights—not complicate his plans. But the thing about heat this scorching is there's just no going back… and it might be too hot for either of them to take.

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Touching and inspiring story about growing up and finding your voice, and claiming your place in the world.
Veronica feels fake, and the fear of people seeing her true self is petrifying. She was bullied and tormenting in her youth, and those scars are set deep in her. She is holding lots of secrets, and constantly scared someone will figure it out.
Gabe has one more year, living the life he has chosen, before giving it all up to help the family business. He is not looking for a relationship, just wants to fully live that one last year, doing what he loves. And then he meets Veronica.
The story is interesting, has a unique touch. The advice column Veronica writes, brings a lot fun moments, as well as deep conversations and possibilities to really help people. Veronica has a low self esteem, and to fix that, she writes notes to herself on the fridge, that end up being like steps she is taking to grow, and deal with the problems she has from her childhood.
The relationship between Gabe and Veronica develops fast, but is believable. They challenge each other, in outdoor activities, in bed, and in life with the choices they make.
The story is hot, the 'sex education' Gabe is giving to Veronica is steamy and detailed. But there's more to their relationship than just that, the feelings grow, and they find a true connection with each other, that is tender and adorable.
Veronica's reaction to the conflict was, in my opinion, a bit too strong, considering their short history together. But understandable from the point of view, how fragile she still was in her healing.
Fascinating and engaging story
~ Four Spoons

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