You’ve met Ben Shaw. Now meet Braydon Kincaid, the devil-may-care male model who nearly stole the show in Working It by New York Times bestselling author Kendall Ryan.
As one of the world’s most sought-after male models, Braydon is no stranger to the finer pleasures in life. The last thing he wants to do is limit himself, especially when it comes to women. His best friend, Ben, might’ve settled down, but Braydon doesn’t want to waste his youth on the messy complications of commitment. He wants fun. He wants easy.
Ellie isn’t looking for a casual relationship, but her tough and sassy personality instantly attracts Braydon, who proposes a “friends with benefits” arrangement. Unable to resist the powerful pull of the charming bad boy, Ellie eventually relents, though she longs for all-consuming love.
As the two spend more time together, Ellie soon realizes that Braydon’s posing skills extend off the runway. His carefully crafted façade masks a secret hurt that he’s reluctant to share with Ellie, even as they embark on a passionate affair that sends them hurtling toward a fate neither expected. Can Ellie risk her heart while she waits for Braydon to let her in, or will she be forced to demand all or nothing?
Author: Kendall Ryan
Series: Love by Design #3
Published: September 9th 2014 by Atria Books
Source: Goodreads
I was looking forward to this book so much so that when it finally came out I was beyond excited, which now that I think about it was really weird since the last book wasn’t nearly as good as the first and while the first was not necessarily good but interesting the follow-up was disheartening to say the least.
That excitement quickly faded when I started reading. In the first two books Ellie came off as strong, fierce and independent. That however, was not the Ellie I encountered in her own story. She was spineless and emotional and quite frankly pathetic. Her relationship with Braydon started out purely physical which I didn’t understand since she knew that wasn’t going to be enough but I get that we sometimes take what we can get. When she realized she wanted more she asked for it (that’s about the only upside). After she was turned down she cried (okay), licked her wounds but then –and here’s the frustrating part– went straight back at the first text asking to “hang out=sex” where was the advice you gave to Emmy about distance and giving him time to miss you? I didn’t understand how she could be so weak in that moment, yes you’re falling for him and his body is Gods gift to women but have some pride!
Other than Braydon’s unwillingness to commit there really wasn’t much of a plot. It took me so long to finish because I couldn’t stomach the inanities of the story line, who on earth would in their right mind go to someone’s — who they’re only sleeping with, don’t know what the relationship status is– ex-girlfriend to get information about why he has a hard time committing? How does that make sense as a person and a writer? After asking around the responses I’ve gotten, “I’d get together with my ex’s ex to bash him but not to dig for information if I want to be the important woman in his life.”
It was slow and pointless and not worth writing –in my opinion, I could have done without Ellie’s story. Actually her story should have happened behind the scenes of Emmy and Ben’s second story. It would have been less annoying that way. I started it so I had to finish it and I’m glad it’s done with.
I’ve noticed that Kendall Ryan’s books have always been hit or miss with me. They are either good or really terrible, consistency is not key.
2 STARS
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