Review: Sunset Thunder by Shannyn Leah

29 July of 2016 by Deb Markanton

Reviewer's Rating: 3

3.0Overall score

An Enjoyable Romance

Sunset Thunder By Shannyn Leah

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Released: December 15, 2015

Publisher: Carlex Ruby Press

Series: The Caliendo Resort, Book #1

Synopsis

Violet Caliendo escorts couples into the illusion of “happily ever after” as wedding coordinator at Willow Valley’s five-star Caliendo Resort. But Violet doesn’t believe in love or “happily ever after” anymore. She’s guarded herself from love so deeply since her divorce that some even call her the “Ice Queen.” When she has to plan her ex-husband’s wedding, even her Ice Queen persona takes a hit.

With her emotions in high gear, she takes out her frustrations by having sex with her ex’s best man, Ryder Carlex. Ryder is a playboy type and Violet figures it’s a simple one-time fling. But Ryder actually is attracted to Violet in a way he’s never known before. Neither of them ever imagines that the sparks between them will ignite a fire hotter than anything they’ve ever encountered – slowly breaking down both their walls.

Will Violet be able to let go of her past and embrace a possible future with Ryder? Will Ryder let Violet into his own deep, dark secrets? Or will their trust issues forever doom them both from achieving their own “happily ever after”?

This book can be read as a STAND ALONE, but for more enjoyment read them in the order of the series, as all the characters appear in future books.

Review

Reviewed by Deb

An Enjoyable Romance

I want to preface my review with the fact that this book is a 3.5 star read for me.

I love a good enemies to lovers story. Especially when it involves a manwhore/enemy who falls fast, hard, and all in for the woman who’s supposedly not his type. I know, I know. This theme has been done a dozen ways to Sunday. However, Sunset Thunder added a few interesting twists that I enjoyed. The Caliendo family is a whirlwind of drama and crazy, and provides a lot of fun sideline scenes. The premise, and what throws our H/h together, is a wedding that Violet Caliendo is coordinating. She’s the uber-professional, all-business, buttoned up tight wedding coordinator for her family’s resort. She’s also divorced, with two almost preteen kids. And, by the way, this wedding she’s planning? It’s for her douche of an ex. The manwhore? The ex’s best friend.

There is a lot to like about Sunset Thunder. The character development is great, the writing is good, the story moves at a good pace. The scenes between Violet and Ryder are full of emotion, sexual tension, and interesting and revealing conversations which move the story forward. There’s definitely chemistry between Violet and Ryder. Ms. Leah has included Violet’s kids quite a lot, which works well for proving certain story points. The banter between the Caliendo family members is witty, fun, and a good contrast to the drama.

So, why wasn’t I over the moon about this book? First of all, don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed Sunset Thunder. The plot is solid, minus a few points that were just a tad too conveniently thrown in. I’m certain a great majority of romance readers out there will love it. That said, In my opinion there was too much repetition, i.e. issues that cycled around again and again. Issues that could have been written more succinctly. There were times I wanted to hurry through pages that addressed the same thing I’d read a chapter or so ago. I grew tired of Violet and Ryder doing the back and forth. Lastly, there are many times that the style in which Violet’s inner monologue is written sounds quite similar to Ryder’s.

All in all, Ms. Leah has created a likeable family in the Caliendo’s. The snippets we see of other family members are enticing enough to make me interested in their stories. Bottom line: it’s a good romance. It just needs some tightening up.