Review: Touch & Go (Dare to Love #2) by Mira Lyn Kelly

Synopsis

Vivacious and successful, Ava Meyers is living her dream life, except for one thing: Ever since childhood, she’s been in love with her best friend . . . and she’s never admitted it. Back then, Sam Farrow was a damaged young man with a tough past. Now he’s supremely confident, super-sexy, and totally untouchable—until the night when Sam pretends to be Ava’s boyfriend to save her from some unwanted attention. In a moment of weakness, Ava finds out that a long friendship is no match for blistering sexual chemistry.

After years of denying his own feelings, Sam finds that one amazing night with Ava isn't enough to chase away all the pent-up fantasies. So he proposes they spend a few weeks driving each other wild, exhausting their every desire, and then return to their perfect platonic relationship like nothing ever happened. But Sam’s plan has one fatal flaw: the part where they give each other up. Because the more they let go of their inhibitions, the more they’re tempted to never go back.

My Review

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really like friends to lovers books. Next to second chance romance, this is my favorite trope. This one felt different than all of the other ones I have read and I think it was because of the way it all unfolds. Sam escorts Ava to a work event and poses as her boyfriend to ward off an amorous coworker. It is at the event that they have to take things a little further than originally thought and things develop from there. I liked how the further they took things, the more that kept convincing themselves that they were only doing it as part of the act. Of course my inner monologue was saying "Suuuuure....you just keep telling yourself that."  

“What do you say, Ave,” he asked, searching her eyes. “Feel like making a really bad decision with me?” 

Ava and Sam jump into bed thinking one night will be enough, but of course it isn't. To tell you the truth, I think the anticipation and foreplay leading up to the actual sex was just as hot, if not hotter. Ava and Sam have some ridiculous chemistry. I loved that through it all they kept teasing each other. They kept throwing out these unsaid challenges, thinking that the other person would back out at the last minute. It is quite clear that they have feelings for each other, but admitting that to each other will be the hard part. Like in most friends to lovers books they are worried about ruining their friendship, but the connection between them is too strong to ignore.  

I loved Ava and Sam's friendship. They have known each other since they were little kids. From the moment they met, they formed a bond that has only gotten stronger over the years. They live in the same building and are always hanging out at Ava's place. And while their relationship should totally be a brother-sister thing, it's definitely not. They also banter like crazy, which I LOVE (I love a good banter-er). Very early in the book, right before they kiss they have this conversation:  

“One real kiss and then we’re done?”... 

“Yeah. One kiss and then we’re done. But it’s got to be the real deal. No chintzing out on me.”  ...

“Okay … Show me what all the fuss is about.” ... 

“Brace yourself, Ave,” he warned, giving her his cockiest, most devastating grin.”

I mean if I had a Sam, that is exactly the type of conversation I would have with him. Why act any differently? Yes, they were doing something that would completely alter the state of their friendship, but they didn't let that affect them and I appreciated that.    

I have not read "Truth or Dare," the first book in this series, but I enjoyed all the secondary characters in this book so I will definitely go back and read it. Plus, I want to see any Ava/Sam interactions before all of this happened.  

Amazon buy link: http://amzn.com/B00KPBCETO