Review: Speakeasy by Sarina Bowen

Series: True North Book #5

Format: Trade Paperback

Pages: 272

Rating: 4 Stars

How I Got It: Purchased

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Tuxbury Publishing

Synopsis courtesy of Goodreads

Sometimes you fall for Mr. Right. And sometimes for Mr. Right Now… 

May 

Did you hear the one about the girl who walks into a bar and catches her live-in lover kissing someone else? No? You’re the only one in town who missed it. 

Luckily Alec is there to wrap me up in strong arms and carry me out the door before things get too ugly. And that’s not all Alec is good at. Our unexpected chemistry makes him the perfect rebound guy. 

Alec

 

I should know better than to hook up with my rival’s little sister, but the fiery look in May’s eyes really turns my crank. She needs cheering up, and I’m just the guy for the job. 

It’s not like I’ll fall in love. Not even after a string of scorching hot trysts, and the realization that we’re good at the same things: wild nights and familial disappointment. I don’t do love, never have, never will. So this is the perfect arrangement, for both of us. 

Nobody would approve, but nobody has to know…

Review

Speakeasy was a great read, but probably my least favorite in the True North series. It's still 4 stars so of course I liked it.

I definitely cared about May and Alec. Alec a little more. But I wasn't as emotionally invested as I was to the characters in the previous books. Alec is a likable goofball on the surface, but he has a strong desire to be respected. It did break my heart a little when people would dismiss him or speak down to him. And I like seeing how May had to deal with her family and how they treated her. It's also always interesting to get in the head of an alcoholic/addict.

The romance was really fun. It starts out as a rebound hook-up which is a common thing in romance. I liked the chemistry and conversations between them. You could especially tell how much Alec cared about Meg.

Before I even read this book-with just the synopsis-I was thrown. I thought May was a lesbian the whole time. Maybe she was described as bisexual and I don't remember it. I guess it doesn't actually matter, but it was just odd for her to end up with a guy when that wasn't what I previously thought would happen. This probably wouldn't be a "thing" upon a re-read and my rating may go up. I was just through off by it and couldn't stop thinking about it.

Thanks for reading!

Holly