Jul 25 2012
REVIEW: Never Stay Past Midnight by Mira Lyn Kelly
Dear Ms. Kelly:
Angela James mentioned on Twitter she was reading something really good from Harlequin and I reminded her she had my Kindle address. A few moments later, a book by you appeared on my device. The magic of technology! Angie was right. Never Stay Past Midnight was a sexy contemporary with good meat on its bones.
Levi Davis is in the midst of opening his newest club, this time in Chicago, Illinois. Levi lives a fantastic life. As a club promoter and developer, he spends his time scouting new locations, setting up new clubs, and moving on to the next business venture. It is not a lifestyle conducive to permanent relationships. Part of his deal with investors is a six month proven track record of profits. He’s at the tail end of his six month commitment and can not wait to get out of town and move on to his next project.
One night he is prowling a bookstore and runs into Elise Porter and they have a one night hookup. To Levi’s surprise, it is Elise that leaves, giving Levi the brush off.
“So, thank you,” Elise said, abruptly levering to sit and then looking around as if taking in a scene she didn’t quite know what to do with.
Something was off.
“Umm, that was really nice…” She winced a little, hesitated and then reached over to…pat his hand? “And I should get going.”
Nice? What the—? Okay. So she was nervous again.
Because she hadn’t done this before. Made sense.
And he hadn’t been prepared for it…because he hadn’t been with someone who hadn’t done this before.
While Elise wouldn’t ordinarily indulge in a one night stand with a gorgeous stranger, she can’t resist giving herself a sort of treat. Elise is in the process of getting a yoga/Pilates studio opened. She had just submitted her loan for her business and was spending most of her time studying business books, and working 10 jobs at the same time.
Elise ends up babysitter her sister’s dog, a giant brute of a dog, and she needs someone to take care of him during the afternoon. Even though it violates their one night stand, Levi is the only person she knows who does not work during the day. Embarrassed but desperate, Elise calls Levi, stumbles through an introduction because she isn’t sure he will remember her. Levi thinks that it is Elise’s lame excuse to hook up with him again but he’s thrilled she is opening the door to something he had thought was firmly closed. Only Elise’s plea for help was genuine, much to Levi’s surprise.
“YOU’RE serious?” Levi stared down at the leash, empty newspaper bag and crumpled twenty she’d stuffed in his hand and let out a laugh that was equal parts irritation and incredulous amusement. He should have seen it the second she’d swung open the apartment door, greeting him with that wide, grateful smile. No makeup, her hair stuffed in another one of those elastic things. Ratty jeans and a not too tight T-shirt. “This is actually about the dog?”
Elise blanched, her chin pulling back. “You thought it wasn’t about the dog?”
What a chump. This was not how it went with him.
He liked to be in control. Hell, he was man enough to know he needed it. And, this thing with Elise. He was most definitely not in control.
But, based on the Olympic-level hand-wringing happening in front of him, neither was she.
Rubbing the back of his neck, he shook his head. “Not to sound like an ass here, but it usually isn’t. The dog, the lost earring, the house keys—” misplaced thong “—whatever it is, it’s usually an excuse.”
…
“I swear, that wasn’t my intention. I mean, yes, I like you.”
Ah, hell, he knew where this was going…held up a staying hand, thinking his ego really wasn’t up for the speech he’d given too many times to count.
The problem for both Elise and Levi is that they can’t seem to keep their minds off sex and their hands off each other. Levi knows that Elise is the type of woman who likes boyfriends and walks in the park on the weekends. Elise knows that Levi is the type of man that moves from one woman to the next, the rolling stone that gathers no moss. They promise each other that their relationship, such as it is, will be sex only.
Despite their best intentions, Elise and Levi fall for each other and the conflict becomes how a relationship can fit into both their disparate lives and ambitions. Elise is different than the women Levi has been with in the past. He can’t stop thinking about her and he knows enough about himself to realize that his feelings are beyond just physical. Beyond the steaminess of this story (and the club scene is super hot), I loved how we were shown the mental progression of lust to love for both of these characters, particularly Levi. We got to know the characters well, what drove Elise and what drove Levi. Knowing the characters helped understand why these two in particular fit. In many books, characters seem so interchangeable but in this one, I really grasped them. I could have lived without the fecund CareBear epilogue though. Did that fit them? Not so much. B+
Best regards,
Jane
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Jul 25, 2012 @ 08:41:32
Great review! It’s been awhile since I’ve read an HP because I’m never sure if I’ll like them anymore. But this I will buy.
Do you have any other suggestions for recent HP titles (in the last few months say) that have really stood out for you?
Jul 25, 2012 @ 09:02:37
Sarah – Unfortunately I haven’t. Even my favorites, like Sarah Morgan and Caitlin Crews, recent releases have been duds for me. I did enjoy the last India Grey but I think that was last year’s release.
Jul 25, 2012 @ 09:40:45
Oooh this just totally made my day! Thank you so much!!
Jul 25, 2012 @ 09:58:55
Thanks for the review. I liked this book as well because the two character were honest about their intentions going into the relationship. When their expectations changed , they didn’t get hang up on silly misunderstandings or emotional blackmail.
I have been disappointed with recent HP titles as well but I recently enjoyed two HP Extra novels: Aimee Carson’s “Secret history of a good girl” and Amy Andrews “Innocent til proven otherwise.” Both are on the hot and steamy side similar to Mira Lyn Kelly’s book.
Jul 25, 2012 @ 10:01:35
@Alicet – Thanks, I’ll check those out. i don’t get all the ‘extras’ in my Presents subscription. I wish Harlequin would allow us to pick the 8 titles we get for our $25 instead of eliminating certain ones.
Jul 25, 2012 @ 11:44:36
@Alicet – so glad you enjoyed my debut Secret History of a Good Girl! As Mira said . . . You just made my day!
Jul 25, 2012 @ 13:09:38
It’s not available yet! I mean really, this is an impulse item for when I’m swamped with tedious chores and recalcitrant helpers. With no calories. Sigh. I guess I’ll just stop at The Cookie Jar on my way home from the hardware store.
While I’m moaning, just exactly how do sweatshops in third world countries get labor out of children? Mine are teens and I could use some tips.
Jul 25, 2012 @ 13:10:09
@SAO: You can buy it from Harlequin in digital format.
Daily Deals: Never Stay Past Midnight by Mira Lyn Kelly & others
Aug 05, 2012 @ 12:07:11
[...] What had he done? Things had hardly started and she was off! Yet he was bored with simpering women he couldn’t get rid of. Elise was a breath of fresh air. How was he going to find her?and get her back in his bed-for the whole night this time? It seemed Mr. Levi-and-Leave-Them might have found the one woman to leave him begging for more.? I enjoyed this book. It’s a sexy, funny, serious contemporary done right. It reminds me a bit of an updated Harlequin Temptation with smart characters struggling with modern day believable conflicts. There is no alphahole or cowering heroine. Reviewed here. [...]
Mira Lyn Kelly Giveaway! | Anne Calhoun, Romance Author
Aug 27, 2012 @ 08:48:47
[...] at Dear Author gave this book a B+ review. I’ve got 3 copies to give away. Just post a comment and [...]