Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster

The Basics:
Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster
Harlequin
Book 3 in the Love Undercover series
Romance

Purchased ebook
See excerpt here

The latest in Foster's series featuring alpha men and the women who fascinate them. Rowdy and Avery appeared in the previous two books in this series. From Foster's site,

Charismatic bar owner Rowdy Yates isn’t the kind of man women say no to. So when he approaches waitress Avery Mullins, he fully expects to get her number. However, the elusive beauty has her reasons for keeping her distance—including a past that might come back to haunt them both.

Avery spends her nights working for tips… and trying to forget the secret Rowdy is determined to unearth. But when history threatens to repeat itself, Avery grows to rely on Rowdy’s protective presence. As the sparks between them ignite, she will be forced to choose between the security she’s finally found… and the passion she’s always wanted.

What worked for me:

I like Lori Foster's work, I find they're good examples of modern, contemporary romance with strong, complicated men and competent, endearing women. I never feel like the characters are mismatched - sometimes I find strong-willed men in romances run roughshod over women and I really dislike unequal pairings.

Rowdy and Avery worked for me as a couple. They were hot together, they were hot for each other and I liked the way their issues butted up against each other. The conflicts between them felt like the natural results of their upbringings. There were no head games here, though they both had a lot to work through mentally. Even the bits and bobs of jealousy didn't make me edgy and uncomfortable as they so often do in these books.  

The sex scenes were pretty hot - I particularly liked the scene with Avery and Rowdy in his office. It was a little unconventional, and an indicator of just how out of control they drove each other. 

I liked the subplot with Marcus and Rowdy - it was nice to have Rowdy's background come into play as more than back story to explain his promiscuity/wariness about relationships. I could have happily spent more time with Marcus and had less of Avery's drama.

What didn't work for me:

Avery sleeping in Rowdy's bed before they became lovers: why is this a thing in romance novels? Do people/women really do this - with men that they've met in their adulthood? I can't really wrap my head around sharing a bed with a man that I lust after while thinking that nothing sexual will happen. It just seems like... really? 

Also, there's a scene with Dash and the Lieutenant that was clearly a set-up for the fourth book. It stuck out a little too much and didn't really contribute to Avery and Rowdy's story at all. 

The Bottom Line
While I don't know that this romance will ultimately be particularly memorable, it was well written and had a good balance of sexy times and tender moments. Characters from previous books in the series were involved in logical ways so fans will be satisfied, I think. 

I'd definitely recommend this book, and Foster in general, to romance readers. 

Four Stars
For fans of the series, of sexy romance, of hot men with traumatic childhoods and the women who love them.