Heavy Issues (Bowen #2) Review

Heavy Issues by Elle Aycart

Book description...
 Steering clear of relationships has never been difficult for demolitions expert Cole Bowen, but now, with his brother's engagement sending the female population into full-blown hysterics and the town of Alden's month-long festivities helping along, he finds himself in hell. When he discovers Alden's new resident and the object of all his wet dreams, Christine Sheridan, has sworn off relationships and is going to hire a gigolo to get professionally laid, he decides to kill two birds with one stone.
Christy is so not drinking again. Thanks to José Cuervo she has her friends signing her up for stud conventions and Cole frigging Bowen offering sex in exchange of fake dates, which is so out of the question it isn't even funny. She knows the domineering man will push her boundaries, and after battling all her life with self-esteem issues, she isn't ready for that. Too bad he won't take no for an answer.
Cole is determined to strip away all of her defenses but refuses to lower his ever-present walls, so when Christy realizes she wants more, she's left with only two options; walk away or crack his shield and risk her heart in the process.

Christy quickly became one of my all time favorite heroines!  She's extremely funny, loving, expressive, and her personality is just downright beautiful.  So I've never been afraid to say that a heroine gets on my last nerve... and Christy did... at first.  She got on my nerves until something happens and she feels the urge to confide in Cole... things she goes out of her way to avoid talking about.  Once, she begins her explanation of her insecurities and why she's got the emotional issues she has... everything begins to click into place.  Christy has this way of explaining it all to the point of it making complete sense and actually had me thinking "Wow, this is more serious than I ever would have thought".  I felt for her, and I was proud of her for finding her way and overcoming the obstacles she encountered in order to make herself not only healthy... but happy.  Or at least as happy as she thought she could get.

Now that Christy has moved to Alden after calling off her wedding... she has come to the conclusion that relationships just aren't worth it.  So she has decided that she is going to forget the relationships, the whole falling in love thing, and just go for the sex... but not with just anyone... with someone who knows what he's doing and doesn't need the guidance her previous men had needed.  Now this realization may have been induced by a few shots of tequila... fair warning honey, tequila is always a bad idea LOL...  but the entire conversation she has with her girlfriends is just down right hysterical.  I sat there laughing and nodding right along with the words because they're all so true... plus, the entire conversation is so something my girls and I would have... only we'd probably be in public and cause some sort of a scene ... Christy and her girls may not have been having this conversation in public... but, part of it was still heard by, of all people, Cole Bowen.

"I Christine Sheridan, vow that I'm done.  No more searching for husband material.  Or for love.  No more meaningful long-term relationships.  Just give me orgasms!  Big, mind-blowing ones!" 

 Cole... another sexy as sin Bowen brother... has just heard Christy's declaration... no relationship? no strings? no headaches? just mind-blowing sex?.... well he's definitely liking that idea, especially since he happened to over hear the idea of the woman he has been lusting after since she blew into town.  I have to admit here, and quite frankly I'm shocked I even thought this, but I actually prefer James over Cole.  It's probably my mind set at the moment but Cole was just a little too... broody for me.... well except for when he's talking dirty... and O.M.G. can that man talk dirty, but then again so could James... I'm starting to think that the Bowen brother's have taken a class in how to talk so dirty they can melt just about any woman?  Well, they can come practice on me!!  I really did like Cole though, he may have been broody and extremely afraid of developing any kind of feelings... which he had a pretty good reason for... but he was still a great man who was absolutely perfect for Christy!  The way he adapted to her needs was adorable... for a man afraid of feelings, he sure went to the extra effort to make sure he made her happy.  Then there was the way he tried to help Christy see herself for the beautiful woman she is... to look beyond what she sees in the mirror... and I was gone, the way he gently forced her to see what he saw brought tears to my eyes.

So they begin this relationship.. no not relationship... we'll go with agreement.  She get's mind-blowing sex with multiple orgasms and he gets fake dates.  Because now that James is engaged and off the market, the women of Alden are desperate to hook themselves a Bowen brother.  So he uses Christy as a buffer, in hopes that the women will stay away.  Only he's not so lucky, the women of Alden are not only desperate, they're actually quite pathetic.  But Cole doesn't see them, as a matter of fact, he doesn't notice any woman, other than Christy... then he finds himself actually wanting to spend time with her... looking forward to spending time with her.. and finding himself missing her when he goes for any length of time without seeing her, even if it was only an hour ago.  He's realizing he has these feelings but he's trying to ignore them because there is no way he can stay away from her now.   But, Christy is finding herself quite attached and it's scarring her to no end because she knows they agreed to the no strings thing. 

Heavy Issues by Elle Aycart is an amazing read.. it's fairly easy, sweet, touching, and has some of the best dirty talk I have ever seen in a book.... Just ask my girls, they will definitely confirm that one for you.  Elle is definitely an author to watch for.. she has a creative style that has me hooked and waiting for more.  She writes strong, beautiful characters that touched my heart.  I'm anxious for more of the fun, sexy, and entertaining Bowen series!

Happy Reading!