Blog Tour: Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton Review

Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton
(Cocktail #2)
Release Date: June 24, 2014
Publisher: Gallery Books; 320 pages
Rating: 

In this sequel to Wallbanger, the second book in the Cocktail series, fan favorites Caroline and Simon negotiate the rollercoaster of their new relationship while house-sitting in San Francisco.

Playing house was never so much fun—or so confusing. With her boss on her honeymoon, Caroline’s working crazy long hours to keep the interior design company running—especially since she’s also the lead designer for the renovation of a gorgeous old hotel on Sausalito. So with her hotshot photographer boyfriend gallivanting all over the world for his job, she and Simon are heavy-duty into “absence makes the heart grow fonder” mode. Neither has any complaints about the great reunion sex, though! Then Simon decides he’s tired of so much travelling, and he’s suddenly home more. A lot more. And wanting Caroline home more, too. Though their friends’ romantic lives provide plenty of welcome distraction, eventually Caroline and Simon have to sort their relationship out. Neither wants “out of sight, out of mind,” but can they create their own happy mid-ground cliché?

USA TODAY bestselling author Alice Clayton delivers another delicious, frothy cocktail of a book, shaking up her characters, stirring in laugh-out-loud humor, and serving sizzling romance straight up!

I first read Wallbanger back when it was available online.  I remember it being laugh out loud funny.  You know the kind of laughter that makes you have to put your book down for a second to contain yourself? Before I dived into the second one, I decided to reread Wallbanger since it had been awhile since I'd first read it.  I wanted to familiarize myself with the story again.  And what do ya know, it wast still as hilarious.  If I could describe this series in two words it would be hilariously sexy!

In the sequel, the main characters from Wallbanger Simon and Caroline return.  They've settled into a comfortable relationship and have been seeing each other for over a year now.  Simon still travels as a photographer, and Caroline is soon to be thrown for a loop when her boss Jillian goes on an indefinite leave of absence for her honeymoon.  Caroline is suddenly put in charge and finds herself pretty much working 7 days a week.  And soon after Simon starts turning down photography jobs and is home more.

One of the things I respect about Caroline is her independence.  To put it lightly, she don't need no man to take care of her!  And while Caroline loves Simon, she's not the type that needs to be with her significant other 24/7.  She enjoys her alone time.  It's nice to see a story with a strong female who isn't ruled by her relationship.  As Caroline's stress level went up, I simultaneously wanted to hug her and shake her at the same time.  She kept so much in and of course eventually you knew she'd be at her breaking point.  As a reader you just knew eventually she'd explode.  And in this case, when it rained, it definitely poured.

Rusty Nailed takes a step up from Wallbanger.  The tone is a lot more serious.  There are still funny moments.  I am glad that certain things from the first one were kept in, such as the texting conversations.  But the core of the story is two people deciding how to take the next step in their relationship.  I am glad that Alice decided to continue with this story.  I love Caroline and Simon.  Such a great story to turn to if you looking for something sexy and funny!

RUSTY NAILED​

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