Julie Anne Long

A broken truck, a broken career, and a breakup heard around the world land superstar John Tennessee McCord in Hellcat Canyon. Legend has it that hearts come in two colors there: gold or black. And that you can find whatever you’re looking for, whether it’s love . . . or trouble. JT may have found both in waitress Britt Langley. His looks might cause whiplash and weak knees, but Britt sees past JT’s rough edge and sexy drawl to a person a lot like her: in need of the kind of comfort best given hot and quick, with clothes off and the lights out. Her wit is sharp but her eyes and heart—not to mention the rest of her—are soft, and JT is falling hard. But Britt has a secret as dark as the hills, and JT’s past is poised to invade their present. It’s up to the people of Hellcat Canyon to help make sure their future includes a happily ever after. “Julie Anne Long’s writing glows with emotional intensity and strong, passionate characterization.” JAYNE ANN KRENTZ

Hot in Hellcat Canyon

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
  


Hot In Hellcat Canyon is a story I have been looking forward to and I admit my expectations were very high---maybe too high. It's always an interesting experience when an author changes genres. In the past, I have adored this author's historical's so I was curious to see how she would handle contemporary. My biggest issue with this book was that the first half of the book was boring and I had a hard time paying attention to the story. I kept reading because it's an ARC copy, and I felt obligated to at least finish it. I am relieved to say that about halfway I started to become more interested in the story. It does start out pretty slow. It starts off with our hero who is a famous actor, has come to stay in Hellcat Canyon for a few weeks. Our heroine is a waitress and works on the side as a real estate realtor. These two have some chemistry, but Britt has a painful past when it comes to men. I understand in a way why she mistrusted J.T. but I did feel that she should have trusted him more. J.T. is a hoot and a fabulous hero. He is genuine and sincere and even though a bit of a playboy having been an actor and a famous one at that, once he commits to someone he is loyal. Of course, he makes mistakes, but he owns up to them but he also sets boundaries and doesn't apologize for things he never acted upon. I did like that about him, he forces Britt to face up to her own mistakes too.

  
    I'm not saying you're helpless Britt. I don't think that for a minute. It's just that no one can completely take care of themselves. Not even me, and I have a freaking black belt in karate. It's not a man versus woman thing. It's a 'let somebody care about you thing'. And sometimes that takes more guts and sense than taking on the whole damn world by yourself
  

But man can he be romantic and sweet when he has a mind too!! The second half of the story really worked for me and I loved the way it turns out in the end---definitely a tear or two was shed in the reading. Although I wish the first half was just as good---not a bad beginning for this series and I am looking forward to see what Julie Anne Long has in store for us with this series. Overall a fun and charming story that is poignant and emotionally riveting!!


  


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Find the rest of this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads.


Julie Anne Long is one of those authors whose books I've wanted to read for a long time. I have a ton of her historical romances on my shelves, but I've just never made time to pick one up. I sure didn't think I'd read one of her new contemporary romances first, but I'm sure not going to apologize for my choice. I enjoyed Hot in Hellcat Canyon so very much! I love a good small town romance and that's exactly what this book gave me.

Both Britt and J.T. were great characters. I mean, sure, they come from different worlds — she's a waitress in a small town and he's an actor who's just visiting said small town — but they had crazy chemistry and wonderful banter, so it was easy to root for them. Plus, you know, famous person/regular person romances are a particular favorite trope of mine, so I couldn't really go wrong. Britt was pretty well locked down when it came to the idea of a relationship — which I couldn't really blame her for given her painful past — but I loved how relentless J.T. was. I didn't love the introduction of J.T.'s pain in the ass movie star ex because she was SUCH a horrendous cliché (and a bitch to boot) but it was fairly easy to roll past that drama. (And roll my eyes while I was doing it.) Any frustration I felt was erased pretty quickly with J.T.'s grand gesture. Oh. My. God. That toast. *swoons all over the place*

All in all, this was a fun read. It was swoony, sexy and funny. The hero and heroine were wonderful and I loved getting lost in their chemistry and banter. There are a lot of interesting secondary characters in Hellcat Canyon and I can't wait to get more from them. I'll definitely be taking another trip back to quirky Hellcat Canyon very soon — I have books two and three all queued up to read soon! 

I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

FAVORITE QUOTES
"Are you seriously trying to distract me with another woman? Like throwing a steak at a Rottweiler so you can make your getaway?"

The Want was still present and accounted for. But its gentler cousin, Yearning, had just show up. Yearning was seductive. She hadn't felt anything like that in years.

"If you can still walk, then I didn't do my job right."

Hot in Hellcat Canyon

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