Review: ‘Down for the Count’ by Christine Bell
Down for the Count
by Christine BellSeries: Dare Me #1
Published by Entangled: Brazen on September 20, 2012
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eArc
Pages: 238
Source: Netgalley
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A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...
Truth or dare…or TKO?
When Lacey Garrity finds her groom in flagrante delicto in the reception hall closet with her bridesmaid, she's saved by her best friend’s older brother—childhood tormentor, crush, and boxing bad boy Galen Thomas. Galen’s solution is both exciting and dangerous. What better way to forget the mess of her life than go on her honeymoon with a hot guy who can’t promise anything beyond today?
Galen had been counting on Lacey's wedding to put her out of reach—and out of his mind—once and for all, but their steamy Puerto Rican escape is testing all his boundaries. Now that Lacey’s embracing her inner bad girl, Galen is tempted to throw in the towel and claim her for himself. But with the biggest fight of his career on the line and an important business merger threatening to derail Lacey’s resolve, their romance might be down for the count before it even begins.
I’ve had Down for the Count on my Goodreads TBR for a while now. I wanted a short contemporary romance book to read for the summer, and this was the perfect book, especially since the two main characters end up in Puerto Rico. A destination that is on my bucket list to visit one day.
Storyline/My Thoughts: First off, this book starts with the female protagonist, Lacey Garrity, catching her groom with one of her bridesmaids. A big no-no for me in stories is cheating, and I’m so glad that Lacey took off running after catching her so-called groom with her best friend/bridesmaid. If she would have stayed, I don’t think I would’ve kept on reading. Who saves her, but her other best friend’s older brother, Galen Thomas. Thank goodness. Galen offers Lacey a daring situation that she will have a hard time turning down. It involves playing games and running away to Puerto Rico to get her mind off what her so-called groom did to her. Unfortunately, Lacey’s family is not happy about it. Lacey, though, will experience the most memorable moments in her life with someone she thought found her annoying. Galen is going to prove how much he cares about Lacey.
I love these kinds of stories where the female protagonist ends up with someone she’s known her whole life, and he ends up being someone she’s had a crush on for a while. Galen Thomas is considered a bad boy, though, especially with what Lacey knows about him. Since he started in it, she’s followed his boxing career, and she knows he has more experience than her. It’s going to be an excellent vacation for both Lacey and Galen in Puerto Rico. I loved their connection with each other. Although, I didn’t particularly appreciate how Lacey’s family interfered at the end.
There are some steamy scenes in this book between Lacey and Galen. Galen shows how Lacey is to be loved and adored, unlike her jerk of a groom. Don’t worry; truths will be revealed in this book about Lacey’s groom.
This happened to be my first book by Christine Bell, and overall, I enjoyed it. I give it four stars. 🙂
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Dare Me series, but each can be read as a standalone.
HEA: Yes
Steamy: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Trope: Friends to Lovers; Bestfriend’s Brother; Sports (Boxing)
Would I recommend this book? Yes. I recommend this book to Contemporary Romance readers. I also recommend this if you need something while you are at the beach or are on vacation.
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About Christine Bell
Christine Bell is a romance author and also writes erotic romance as Chloe Cole. She and her handsome hubby currently reside in Pennsylvania with a four-pack of teenage boys. If she gets time off from her duties as maid, chef, chauffeur, or therapist, she can be found reading just about anything she can get her hands on, from Young Adult novels to books on poker theory. She doesn’t like root beer, clowns or bugs (except ladybugs, on account of their cute outfits), but lurrves chocolate, going to the movies, the New York Giants and playing Texas Hold ‘Em. Writing is her passion, but if she had to pick another occupation, she would be a pirate…or, like, a ninja maybe. She loves writing steamy romance stories, but also hopes to one day publish something her dad can read without wanting to dig his eyes out with a rusty spoon. Christine loves to hear from readers, so please contact her through her website, www.christine-bell.com
My obsession with reading started over 30+ years ago when I went to my first Scholastic Book Fair and found R.L. Stine's Fear Street series. Later, I came across Anne Rice's novels at my public library when I was fourteen when my obsession with vampires started. I was the girl who preferred to be a vampire over a princess any day. My husband says I would leave him a heartbeat for a vampire that looked like Spike or Angel (from Buffy the Vampire Slayer) or Damon Salvatore from The Vampire Diaries. (It's true, though, and he's accepted it.)
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