Kelly & Kimberly review Hotshot by Julie Garwood

TITLE: Hotshot
SERIES #: Buchanan-Renard #11
CHARACTERS: Payton & Finn
AUTHOR: Julie Garwood
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/06/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hotshot-julie-garwood/1113599140?ean=9780525953012

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Peyton Lockhart and her sisters have inherited Bishop’s Cove, a small, luxurious oceanfront resort, but it comes with a condition: The girls must run the resort for one year and show a profit—only then will they own it.

A graduate of a prestigious French culinary school, Peyton has just lost her job as a food critic. Out of work and in a bad place personally, a year doing something completely different sounds wonderful.

There are countless challenges and too many people who want to stop the sisters from succeeding. Among them are Peyton’s contentious cousins, who are outraged that they didn’t inherit the resort, as well as a powerful group of land developers who have been eyeing the coveted beachfront property.

It’s soon apparent to Peyton that their efforts are being sabotaged, but she refuses to let the threats scare her—until she’s nearly killed. She calls on her childhood friend and protector, Finn MacBain, now with the FBI, and asks for his help. He saved her life once; he can do it again.

Julie’s previous two titles, The Ideal Man and Sweet Talk, both debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list.

KELLY’S REVIEW:
After a narrow escape on a snow road from a madman trying to killer her, Peyton finds herself at a wedding. One of the MacBain boys is finally getting married and that means that Finn will be here. Peyton has followed Finn’s career and know his is an attorney and with the FBI and he just might be the only person that can help her. Finn was her hero once long time ago. Peyton is hoping that he might be that again.

Finn is a bit surprised when he sees young Peyton Lockhart all grown up. She is not the cute little girl that he saved all those years ago. Finn is a little surprised by his reaction to her but he blows it off. That is until he sees the bullet holes in her car and hears her story. Finn knows that he has to jump back in the role of Peyton’s hero no questions asked.

I loved these two. Finn & Peyton have known each other for years. Even if they didn’t really talk to one another as they got older. Finn fits the role of hero so well. But he is stubborn and it takes almost losing Peyton to finally make him realize she is it for him.
This was my first Julie Garwood book and I have to say that I really really enjoyed. This may have been book 11 in the series, but not once did I feel lost. Hotshot stands on it’s own very nicely. I am looking forward to what is next. I am hoping it is Beck & Ivy 🙂

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Stars
The problem with Garwood’s books is they are few and far between so when one comes out I rush to read it and I have never been disappointed and this one does not disappoint either. While not my favorite of Garwood’s books I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the characters of Finn and Peyton. This book has probably more about Peyton than Finn but she is a character that is easy to like so reading her story is fun. Finn is an interesting character. I will admit that he is not one of my favorite Garwood men but I liked him none the less.

There is a lot happening in this story but not sure there is much suspense. I enjoyed the background characters as well. While part of a series this most certainly can be read alone.
Garwood is one of the best writers out there and while this might not be one of my favorite Garwood books the fact that I gave it 4.5 stars should say that it is still a great story and this story is close to the perfection that Garwood is known for.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.