Unrestrained by Rhyll Biest

The Basics:
Unrestrained by Rhyll Biest
Escape Publishing
Romance
Published November 8, 2014
Source: Received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon Kobo

Why I picked up this book:

Well the cover was a decent lure, and I liked the sounds of the blurb.



Blurb:

From the dark mind of Rhyll Biest comes a story about a Teutonic god, a guarded recluse, some dirty pictures, and the spark of curiosity that leads to a dangerous attraction.

When the reclusive Holly Unthanks finds some very naughty photos, both the subject of the photos — a muscular Teutonic god with some serious ink and a knack for knots — and the way he’s tied his lady friend to his four-poster bed, make her more than a little curious.

But to get to know the big, built stonemason better, Holly will have to overcome his vengeful ex and her own inhibitions...and pray that the walls she’s built around her guarded heart, as well as her dark secret, remain safe from a man who has a way with stone.

My thoughts:

Right out of the gate, let me explain that I definitely took the "Teutonic god" description literally, and I was waiting righ up until the second last chapter of the book for Stein (the stonemason hero) to do a big reveal.

Spoilers: he is not actually a god.

I really don't know why that got stuck in my head, but I'm absolutely laying it out there for every other potential reader. Not a god.

That said - DAMN, Stein is *god-like*. He's one of the most appealing heroes I've read this year - and this book was something like 225th of the year, so that's saying something! Good with his hands, with an interest in kinky sex, Stein's also very direct, German and, frankly, hot as heck.

For her part, Holly, despite her ridiculous last name, is also pretty badass as a modern heroine. She's carrying some pretty hefty baggage (as is stein, for that matter), and I found her inner struggles to be rather compelling.

Two things really stood out for me about Unrestrained:

The first is the writing. It's gorgeous. I was completely swept along by it, which is pretty impressive given that it's got a very contemporary coarseness to it that I felt was really appropriate. The writing is lush and descriptive and active and compelling. I was completely enthralled.

The second thing is that the romance between Stein and Holly, all the playful sex and the emotional conflict, all of that felt very realistic and plausible. I found Holly's fears and uncertainties and attraction to Stein all very relatable.

Bottom line:

I loved Unrestrained - I expected some entertaining fluff and instead I found a really hot and sexy romance about some very damaged people. I absolutely recommend this one!

5 stars
For fans of contemporary romance, stonemasons, women who kick butt