Time Out [Mass Market Paperback]

I haven't had much luck with Harlequin Blaze stories. Actually, I had sworn off Blaze...until I saw this one by Jill Shalvis. I've only read a few stories by Ms. Shalvis, which I enjoyed, and thought I'd give this one story a try. And I'm glad I did.

Rainey Saunders has crushed on Mark Diego since forever. They were always good friends as he is the older brother of one of her best friends, Rick. However, their friendship fizzled and died when she tried to throw herself at him on her 16th birthday and things didn't go well. Today, Rainey is a director at the city recreation center in charge of youth programs. Mark is a top NHL coach and plans on spending his off-season volunteering in his hometown bringing Rainey and Mark together.

Rainey has been avoiding Mark for years, but even she can't deny that sparks fly every time they come within 10 feet of each other. Mark figures he's stuck in the small town for the summer and Rainey will be a great way to pass the time. He's never had a woman tell him no before. Try as she might, Rainey can't avoid Mark forever as Mark has her in his sights and won't look away.

I absolutely loved watching Rainey and Mark dance around each other. They were both fun characters to watch as they learned to let go of their past, stretch out of their comfort zones, and come together.

The cast of secondary characters helped round out the story. I'm not usually a fan of stories that feature a group of teenagers as the teenagers are usually clichéd and or not realistic. However; the group of kids that hang out at the city recreation were really well done and actually brought out a lot in both Mark and Rainey.

My only hang up was the ending; it just abruptly ended without telling us HOW they worked things out. For the entire book, both Mark and Rainey are dancing around how it just won't work long term for them for many reasons. When they finally decide to really truly make a go of things for the long run, the book ends. Well? How do they work it out? Even Fairytales give us some closure as to where the prince and princess will be and will do. I don't feel like we got any indication of those things with this ending. I don't need my story with a big nice bow on it, but some type of closure would have been nice.

Even with a lackluster ending, I still REALLY enjoyed this story. It wasn't too long and was just what I was looking for: a great romance with well-rounded characters without cheesy writing. It has redeemed the Blaze line for me. Way to go Ms. Shalvis.

Trying to work some magically good PR, Mark, coach of a NHL Hockey team, goes home to help his brother and his struggling local recreation center. He never expected to run into the one woman who has haunted him for years. Rainey threw herself at him at a very delicate time and even though he wanted her it just wasn't the right time. Now he gets another chance at convincing her that now is the right time...if only for a few days.

Rainey cut all ties with Mark after she embarrassed herself and ran out on him. After all these years just a look from him can still make her heart stutter and she knows she's in deep trouble. Having a "sex only" relationship starts out as a good plan until she suddenly finds herself falling for him again. Mark isn't a forever kind of guy and he's made himself clear that he can only offer a few days. Can Rainey stop her heart from falling for the only guy she has ever truly loved?

Time Out is a short, stand alone Harlequin romance from their Blaze line. Blaze meaning spicier then their run of the mill romances. Time Out, being wrote by Jill Shalvis was a definite read for me on the authors name alone. I generally love a good Shalvis romance. As a whole I did enjoy this short book. It was hot and steamy with enough push and pull that I found myself eager to turn the page. I *may* have a slight thing with Latino men...ok ok , I do. I wanted to climb up Mark's body and wrap my legs around his head like a vise. He was yummyrific! Too bad he spends the majority of the book totally going against everything his body is telling him. He thought way to much and didn't feel what his heart was trying to tell him. He spent every turn trying to convince people that he was a normal, average guy but he spent a ton of money every time he needed something done. So while I understood that he was trying to project a certain image, it didn't really come across in his actions.

I really enjoyed Rainey. She wore her heart on her sleeve. She constantly tried to tell herself a relationship with Mark could be just for the sex but even I could see early on she was fooling herself. She has been hopelessly in love with Mark since she was sixteen years old. Comparing every guy with her larger then life image of him. Now he has rippling man muscles that she wants to lick every square inch of and is constantly trying to talk herself out of doing so. Rainey was heartfelt and even when helping the kids at the rec center she gave it her all. Stepping in to help kids in need takes a special type of person and Rainey was that person.

What made the book slip a notch was the ending. It was just over. Nothing. I just didn't get it. You ever watch a tv cliffhanger and then the show never come back from the break? That's what this felt like. So much tension. So much drama. Then BAM! It's over. The ending felt forced and with no epilogue, I just felt cut off.

So...in summery...I like Rainey and Mark. I like the story. The ending wasn't enough for me.

I give Time Out by Jill Shalvis 3.75 stars!
Nikki - Ramblings From A Chaotic Mind

EXACTLY. WHAT. I. NEEDED.

Time Out definitely pulled me out of my somber mood and left me smiling. It was sweet, it was sexy and it was thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

Rainey starts off having one of those common moments where she is looking disheveled and dreary (actually soaked to the bone after spending a day at the fundraising car wash) when the love of her teenage years drives up.

And like you can imagine as clear as day, Mark is drop dead gorgeous and looking as good as sin.

Sparks start flying straight away with the heated tension never ending and the laughs just kept coming. This book was so light, humorous and easily enjoyable that I am craving more of Jill Shalvis's work, just so I can continue to stay in this dreamy *sigh* state.

With the perfect mix of sweet, sexy and sigh worthy moments, this is definitely a great read.

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