Real Men Will [Mass Market Paperback]

It's always the quite ones that are the most freaky, which was definitely the case with Eric and Beth. Six months ago Eric Donovan had incredible one-night no strings attatched sex with Beth Cantrell. So incredible that he hasn't been able to forget her or the steamy night they spent together. When Beth shows up unexpectedly at the Brewery, Eric can't believe his eyes. He's excited to see Beth but there is just one problem. Beth thinks he's his brother Jamie. When Beth does find out the truth, she is beyond upset. It brings back feelings of rejection she felt as a teenager. Did Eric only sleep with her because of a bet? Was it a joke between him and his brother?

Even though Beth is hurt, she still can't stop thinking about Eric. When she slept with him six months ago he awakened something in her that she's only felt with him and she just wants to experience that feeling again. She decides that maybe they should have another one night stand. Then one night turns into another and another, until they both find themselves in a relationship neither saw coming.

When these two come together, no one or anything else seems to exist. They are just so focused on one another and the sexual feelings that they bring out in each other. Let me tell you these two were muy caliente together. Sex on tables, on the floor, against the office wall, in restaurants, they just couldn't keep their hands off of each other.

But This book was just so much more than a coming together for Eric and Beth. This book was quite serious compared to the past two and at one point had me in tears. Both are vulnerable and are dealing with a lot of issues and demons that they have been carrying with them for years. Both are just trying to figure themselves out and what they really want to do with their lives while trying to figure out what they want from one another. They both seem to be singularly focused on the other and can't think of anything but the other, but Beth can't trust Eric and Eric just isn't ready for their relationship to be public. He just wants everything to be between the two of them.

Beth and Eric were just so good together. I felt like they both seemed to bring out the best in the other and seemed to help each other with their personal demons. They were able to be themselves with one another. They both put off this persona that they know what they are doing and they don't need anyone else's help, which is just so far from the truth.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I'm actually quite sad to say goodbye to the Donovans. I feel like they've become family and I've really enjoyed reading about their lives. I honestly wish there were more books in this series. I'm not ready to say goodbye. I am so glad that I stepped outside of my comfort zone and picked up these books. They have become some of my favorites of the year and definitely made me realize that contemporaries can be good too.

Eric Donovan is the oldest of the three Donovan siblings. When their parents were killed in a car accident, he stepped in took over running the family brewery and raised his brother and sister through their late teens. He's always been responsible, and lately it just seems like that's all there is. Now that his brother and sister are taking on more responsibilities at the brewery and have significant others in their lives, he's feeling lost...and alone.

Beth Cantrell is the manager of The White Orchid, an adult novelty shop that also carries sexy clothing, runs an advice column in the local paper, and holds classes on a variety of sexual subjects. Beth does't feel like a sex expert, but feels like the men in town view her as such, which is hard to live up to when dating. She wants to find someone she doesn't feel like she needs to perform for or prove anything to, someone she can be herself with.

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, Good Girls Do (Tessa's story), and Bad Boys Don't (Jamie's story). Eric was kind of a jerk in both books, but I thought he was misunderstood and was at heart a pretty good guy. While this did turn out to be true, I just couldn't warm up to his story.

For me, there was just too much angst - between Eric's midlife crisis and Beth's past chasing her into the present, and I had a hard time with this book. Don't get me wrong - they each have a good story, but I think both of their stories together were overwhelming. Eric is battling childhood demons related to his parents, as well as dealing with the changing dynamics of the brewery now that his siblings are taking on more responsibilities. His back-and-forth with his brother Jamie, which has been a constant throughout the series, is frustrating.

Beth's history was traumatic in a different way and she definitely has her own issues to resolve. She's stressed in her personal life in part because of her job, and I couldn't figure out why she didn't just quit. Even after learning her reasoning for working at The White Orchid, I just didn't get it. Also, her relationship with the Kendalls, the villains who have been a constant in the series, felt weak. Based on her personality and social standing, the extent of their interactions seemed convenient for the story.

Would I still recommend the series? Absolutely. Victoria Dahl has a gift for writing witty, sexy scenes and characters you grow to care about. I think Eric and Beth will resonate with some readers as a couple who overcomes their fears to grab their HEA.

4-1/2 Stars

I've waited patiently and finally my patience was rewarded to find out what happens after that one-night-stand between Eric and Beth. I first became aware of this series after reading the Prequel in The Guy Next Door: Ready, Set, Jett\Gail's Gone Wild\Just One Taste (Hqn) about when Eric and Beth meet at a Business Convention with very scorching results. I've gotten to know the younger Donovan siblings and have loved Beth's cameos. Now it's time for Eric to come face-to-face with the one woman who gets his heart racing.

They agreed it would only happen once. Beth Cantrell and Eric Donovan would never see each other again, so Eric didn't see any reason to correct her assumption that he was his wild younger brother, Jamie. When Beth discovers that Eric lied about his name, she knows he can't be trusted.

Eric is in a rut. He doesn't really know what to do with himself right now. He's been "in charge" for so long of his younger siblings that now that they've worked through their garbage and have grown up, Eric doesn't feel needed. He's been running the Brewery since their parents died, but now that both Tessa and Jamie are stepping up and taking on more he's not sure where fits into things. Add in the fact that one smoking-hot lady shows up and confronts him on his lies, he's a mess.

Beth doesn't trust anyone, especially Jamie, er...I mean Eric, who lied about his name. HIS NAME! Always feeling like she's putting on a mask for those around her, Beth isn't close to anyone really. Beth does make some stupid decisions along the way, and in some ways reminded me of Tessa. Beth isn't a pathological liar like Tessa was, but because Beth doesn't trust anyone she doesn't trust herself and was just dumb at times.

I really enjoyed the development of Eric and Beth's relationship. They both have issues that they have to work through. Truth is, both are a complete mess on their own; but together, they are perfect. They progressed slowly through their mistrust issues and truly getting to know each other. Their physical relationship was hot and heavy. Beth does have a reputation, as a manager of a sex store she feels she has to live up to. I had to laugh at Jamie and Tessa's reactions when they figure out who Eric's mystery woman is.

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Jamie just grinned for a few more heartbeats. Then he said, "So I went into the White Orchid today." Eric groaned, though his ears were filled with the strange, muffled squeal that came from Tessa's direction.
"Dude," Jamie said, laughing. "Dude SERIOUSLY?"
"I know, right?" Tessa gasped.
"Wait," Jamie looked at Tessa. "You knew about this?"
"I just found out!"
"And you didn't tell me our brother was a goddamned rock star?"
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The storyline regarding the investigation of the Kendall Family does wrap-up in this book. We also see Tessa and Luke, as well as Jamie and Olivia. Even though Tessa and Jamie already had their own books, they still play important parts in this story--they didn't wrap up all their problems in their own books. And that is another reason why I like these books: We get a satisfying ending but not everything is wrapped up in a big red bow with the tagline of "Happily Ever After."

The Donovan Brothers Brewery Series
"Just One Taste" in The Guy Next Door: Ready, Set, Jett\Gail's Gone Wild\Just One Taste (Hqn)
Good Girls Don't (Hqn)
Bad Boys Do (Hqn)
REAL MEN WILL

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