Monday, October 19, 2015

Slashed by Tracy Wolff

The Basics:
Slashed by Tracy Wolff
Flirt
Contemporary Romance
Book Three in the Extreme Risk series
Published September 29, 2015
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo Goodreads

Why I picked up this book:

I loved the first two. Of course I came back for the third!

Blurb:
Do nice guys always finish last? In the new Extreme Risk novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tracy Wolff, a burnt-out underdog and a vulnerable tomboy defy the pressure to be perfect and go after what they really want.
 
Bighearted and easygoing, Luc Jennings is falling behind in a family of serious overachievers. While he may be decent enough at snowboarding to turn pro and rack up some sponsors, he’s never topped any podiums—unlike his friends Z, Ash, and Cam. Luc’s always been head over heels for Cam Bradley, but she’s never seen him as anything more than a friend. Now, after years of coming in second, Luc can’t take it anymore—especially if it means watching Cam chase another guy.
 
Cam hangs out almost exclusively with dudes, and that’s fine by her. She’d much rather be shredding at the Olympics than primping in the mirror. Cam’s wildest dreams have a way of coming true—except when it comes to getting her longtime crush and best friend, Z Michaels, to notice her. Then her mother suddenly shows up after being gone for, like, ever, and Cam’s whole world comes crashing down. Desperate for a place to lay low, she turns to the one person who’s always had her back.
 
Try as he might to move on, Luc could never leave Cam hanging. He lets her crash at his place—and it isn’t long before she winds up in his bed. With Cam running scared and her icy facade starting to melt at last, Luc’s determined to finally win the only prize that matters.

My Thoughts:

Oh Luc. Oh Cam.

If you've been reading the Extreme Risk series, you've been waiting to find out what would happen between these two members of the original badass snowboarding quartet. If you haven't been reading this series, hie thee to Amazon and buy the first book, Shredded

Luc and Cam have had a rough road already. Luc's had a thing for Cam for ages, but she's had eyes only for Z. At least, until Z found his HEA. Cam and Luc ended up in bed one night, but she ran scared.

Until now. 

Well, to be fair, she's still running scared. But maybe this time, Luc has a chance of catching her? 

Slashed wasn't the wrap-up for this group of daring snowboarders that I expected, but it was still pretty darn good. I was tense while I read it because there *was* so much baggage between Cam and Luc already, but it all came together in a really great, romance book way.
That said, I really wanted a moment of catharsis, when Cam would spill all of her hang-ups and Luc would share his. I wanted them to see how badly their wires were crossed, and even more so, how truly vulnerable they both were. I was a little disappointed that they weren't more explicitly open about everything at some point.

I also wanted more... more at the end of the book. I'm also not a huge of the turn things took near the end, though I appreciated the twists on that turn. See how spoiler-free I can keep this, even though I want to have a nice, long shout-rant about everything?  

Still, I was so, so glad to read Luc and Cam's story. I love friends-to-lovers stories, I loved the way they danced around each other, and eventually came together.

Bottom line:

Slashed will have more emotional resonance if you've read the earlier books in the Extreme Risk series, but don't let that stop you from diving in (unless you want to go back and read the first two first!). It's a great story that really embraces snowboarding and the culture around it as part of the story instead of as a prop to increase the hot factor of the characters involved. I really enjoyed it!

4.5 stars
For fans of snowboarders, friends-to-lovers, emotional stories.

Don't just take my word for it though! I've gathered up a couple of other blog reviews, so check them out for some other opinions!


The Reading Cafe 

Total Book Geek

Romance & Smut

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