Name: Staking His Claim
ISBN: 9780373732128

Tessa Radley

When her flaky sister abruptly backs out of their surrogacy agreement, Ella McLeod is left with a newborn she's in no position to care for. She'll have to give the baby up for adoption. Enter Yevgeny Volkovoy--her sister's bossy billionaire brother-in-law. Yevgeny won't let a Volkovoy be raised by strangers; he wants custody now. How can Ella be so cold as to deny him? Even worse--why does this woman warm his steely heart? He may be staking his claim on the baby, but Ella may stake a counterclaim on his bachelorhood.

Staking His Claim

Tessa Bailey

NYPD sniper Matt Donovan is in Hell. Instead of driving his best friend's little sister home from college, he's stuck with her roommate—a fresh-faced ray-of-sunshine with a body that makes grown men weep. There's no way he'll allow himself to taint the little vixen, no matter how hard she tries to tempt him, so he resigns himself to the longest—and hardest—drive of his life. Matt's obvious attraction suits grad student Lucy Mason just fine. She had no idea her brother's best friend was so deliciously hot. Knowing he'd never have his wicked way with his buddy's sister, she lies about her identity and seduces him. But Matt's no fumbling college boy. His desires run deep—and dark—and he wants to teach Lucy what wicked really means. Matt's demanding appetites only make Lucy want more. But when her cover's blown, he's furious—even as his hunger for her becomes insatiable. Matt can't trust anyone, least of all himself. And he knows all too well that darkness always destroys the light... Each book in the Line of Duty series is STANDALONE: * Protecting What's His * Officer Off Limits * Asking for Trouble * Staking His Claim * Protecting What's Theirs

Olivia

This book was so good with a hero who isn't good at explaining his emotions but is REALLY good at dirty talk. I loved Lucy's determination to make her way out on her own and Matt trying to resist the fresh out of college sister of a friend added to the forbidden aspect of their relationship. Lucy slowly cracking open his tough exterior was my favorite part of this book!

JoLee

Spoil Free Review

Rating: 3 Stars - Liked It
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Heat: Hot Fan Yourself

I had such high expectations for Staking His Claim especially after it started out so promising with a delicious Matt.

"I want to pleasure your sick little body. I want to make you scream and shake and lose your fucking mind."

"But before that, I want to erase any doubt as to who is about to take ownership of you, good girl. Have I scared the hell out of you yet?"

Matt was still delicious and loved his dirty talking mouth. He did not want to sleep with Lucy because he was afraid of unleashing his dark side. This is where I had problems with the novel he not once unleashes his dark side only spankings. I do not really consider that dark. The sex scenes are still well written and hot but I was expecting a little bit more on the kinkier side. 

I love the whole best friend little sister theme. But again I had a problem with this. I did not mind the sneaking around it kept me on edge of when and how Brent (Asking For Trouble) who is Lucy big brother finds out. Huge let down on how he found out and his actions. I felt it was rushed in the storyline and wanted that played out a little bit more.

It might seem that the novel was more of an Ok read than a Liked it Read by my review. Overall it was still an enjoyable read. I just had 2 major issues but still those issues play a big part of the novel. I think this is a good read for readers who have yet dived into more kinkier books. Tessa Bailey is still one of my top favorite authors who I will buy anything she writes.

Originally posted at Wickedly Delicious Book Blog

Preye

Turns out I read this book a few years back and totally forgot about it. I dont remember loving it but the annoying self-loathing from the characters totally threw me off and I'm pretty sure my teenage self interpreted that as pent-up lust and smoldering angst. Not this girl though. I cant stand characters that are so disgusted with themselves they couldn't care less what people say about them. Not for me, sadly. I've been on a roll recently with Tessa Bailey's books and this burnout might just be brake I needed. May or may not revisit this book as a palate cleanser in the future. Make sure to read trigger-warnings because the male lead is kinda.....different.

b.andherbooks

Desperate to avoid being seen as her brother's "nuisance" of a little sister, Lucy pretends to be her roommate when her brother's best friend, the sexy as hell NYPD sniper Matt shows up to give her a ride home to NYC. 

Just a harmless lie right? But, when Matt and Lucy share a naughty tryst after the car breaks down, Lucy is stuck in a Catch-22. Matt gave her the best orgasm of her life after a bit of domination and spanking, but if she fesses up, she loses him. If she doesn't, she can never be with him again.

Cover blown at her brother's surprise engagement party, Matt is furious that Lucy lied, and that he now has to live with the fact he put his hands on his best friend's sister. And he still desperately wants to.

Their attraction can't be denied, as Matt helps Lucy explore NYC, the dark, brooding sniper may finally be able to step into the light.

Ugh, so good. I especially loved this one. Matt is a broody, silent type who just eat up in romance novels. And the level of 'kink' was just enough for me, and felt realistic.