Too Hot to Handle: Romancing the Clarksons #1 by Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey is on the blog today with the first in her Romancing the Clarksons series when a road-trip of obligation turns steamy in the most unexpected place. Narrated by Geyson Ash, please read on for my review of the AudioBook version of

Too Hot to Handle

Flaming out on your televised cooking show, only to have your current restaurant go up in flames is hard on your ego. When that comes with the fulfillment of a dying wish of your mother, a woman who was short on praise and high on expectations, things couldn’t get much worse. Or so Rita thought, until she and her 3 siblings find themselves stranded in the wilds of New Mexico waiting for rescue.

Spotting rescue as it approaches, Rita is able to tune out the family squabbles and focus on…the sexiest good Samaritan ever. Jasper owns the bar in town, and a healthy reputation as a ‘good time boy’, of little use then more than a night. He knows that he is worth more, and this stranded damsel is more than intriguing. Oh the sparks are hot for this couple, even as we all hope that they would be between Rita and Jasper, and not involve a building.

But fear not! From wonderful banter that bounces and volleys about, to the hotter than hot dirty talk, even some angry sexy moments keep us involved in the developing relationship between these two. Sure, it’s fast – anyone ever heard of vacation romances? But, in this case, the speed and the decisions needed to get to a happy for the now, as well as Rita coming to move away from the issues surrounding her mother’s expectations all seemed to come with a solid dose of reality from Jasper. Sure, he’s not all rainbows and skittles, but his issues are with the perception of him, rather than who he is. Adding the siblings in with a very realistic feeling sense of squabbles and snark gives some set-up for the next book, and a bit of distraction from our couple.

Narration is provided by Geyson Ash, the first time I’ve encountered her work, and I was pleasantly surprised and instantly engaged with her ‘let me tell you a story’ edge that her voice and style engendered. Able to add depth and emotion to moments that needed it, varying the pacing and delivery patois to differentiate the characters and not over-reaching to attain a caricatured version of who she thought the characters were. A wonderful listen, sure to be a voice I look for in the future.

Engaging, hot and amusing, with enough heart and draw to make me want more of this couple and the Clarksons.

Stars: Overall 4 Narration 4 Story 4

Too Hot to Handle: Romancing the Clarksons #1 by Tessa Bailey

Title: Too Hot to Handle
Author: Tessa Bailey
Series: Romancing the Clarksons #1
Also in this series: Too Wild to Tame, Too Beautiful to Break
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Published by: Forever, Hachette Audio
ISBN: 145559413X
Published on: 14 December, 2016
Format:Audiobook
Source: Hachette Audio
Pages: 336
Audio Length: 8 Hours: 44 minutes
Rated: four-stars

Heat:

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When rescue looks like a whole lot of trouble . . .

The road trip was definitely a bad idea. Having already flambéed her culinary career beyond recognition, Rita Clarkson is now stranded in God-Knows-Where, New Mexico, with a busted-ass car and her three temperamental siblings, who she hasn't seen in years. When rescue shows up---six-feet-plus of hot, charming sex on a motorcycle---Rita's pretty certain she's gone from the frying pan right into the fire . . .

Jasper Ellis has a bad boy reputation in this town, and he loathes it. The moment he sees Rita, though, Jasper knows he's about to be sorely tempted. There's something real between them. Something raw. And Jasper has only a few days to show Rita that he isn't just for tonight---he's forever.

A copy of this title was provided via Hachette Audio for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

About Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey is originally from Carlsbad, California. The day after high school graduation, she packed her yearbook, ripped jeans and laptop, driving cross-country to New York City in under four days.

Her most valuable life experiences were learned thereafter while waitressing at K-Dees, a Manhattan pub owned by her uncle. Inside those four walls, she met her husband, best friend and discovered the magic of classic rock, managing to put herself through Kingsborough Community College and the English program at Pace University at the same time. Several stunted attempts to enter the work force as a journalist followed, but romance writing continued to demand her attention.

She now lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband of seven years and three-year-old daughter. Although she is severely sleep-deprived, she is incredibly happy to be living her dream of writing about people falling in love.