Van

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

Title: Van
Author: Sawyer Bennett  
Publication date: 11/28/2017
Kindle Unlimited: No
Cliffhanger: No

When you buy a Sawyer Bennett book, you know what you’re going to get. Consistently awesome writing, complex characters that are supremely relatable, and just the right blend of romantic feels and hot, sweaty, melt-your-panties sexy scenes. I mean, there’s a reason she’s one of my 1-click wonder authors, folks. I’m happy to say that Van is more of what I’ve come to count on from this fantabulous author.
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Readers who like their romance heroes super sweet should be warned that Van is kind of a grumpy, closed-off, a-hole. (Bless his heart) He’s definitely not the nice guy Lucas was in the previous book. But as the story progresses and you get to know him a little better, Van’s motivations and actions start to make more sense and you find yourself willing to forgive some of his less-than-gentlemanly moments. With his background, he’s exactly the kind of messed up I’d expect--and watching him grow as a character and overcome his tragic upbringing (with the heroine’s help, of course) was truly heartwarming.

Simone was a very refreshing romance heroine, too. She was free-spirited and super confident and very intune with her sexuality. Simone knew what she wanted and she went after it with single-minded determination and the full knowledge that Van would eventually bend to her will. Sure, she wasn’t perfect--she had some soul-searching and growing to do on her own, just like Van did--but she was a unique character in romance land, and I found her to be highly entertaining.

For fans looking for sweet romance, I must warn you: this one doesn’t get really romantic until after the 50% mark. There’s tons of really hot sexy between the two main characters before that, but the real intimacy is more of a slow-burn. I have no problem with that because the author’s style is so compelling. But for readers expecting “I love you’s” to be exchanged before clothes start hitting the floor, you’ll be sorely disappointed. (And did I mention there was tons of really hot sex? Because there was. Lots of it. Really, really hot. No lie.)

So, all that said, this is yet another winner from an author I’ve really come to depend on—someone who has helped set the bar by which all other contemporary romances are judged. Time to 1-click, folks. You won’t regret it!     

Does this book contribute to or help crush the romance stigma?
Crushes it! No rehab needed. This one is clean and sober.

Other reading suggestions
Get to the author’s backlist immediately!  Read everything there. Do not stop, do not pass go, do not collect $200...

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