Synopsis:
Finding the perfect guy is like mixing the perfect drink. It's all about the taste and presentation.
Maddy's gone off the deep end, at least that's what her family thinks when she handles her med school rejections by moving to the Outer Banks. It doesn't help that she's paying her bills by bartending and is sharing walls with two guys, even if one of them is her childhood best friend.
Her choice of men seems more balanced on the surface—Colin is driven, sexy, and gainfully employed, but she can't help spending her Thursday nights searching for the perfect drink for Lyle, whose music captivates her with its haunting lyrics. Maddy believes everyone has a perfect drink—and finding Lyle's isn't a challenge she's willing to lose.
ARC RECEIVED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
Maddy is struggling to find her own way in the world. When she receives her rejection letters for medical school, she takes off and moves to the Outer Banks to become a bar tender, much to her parents disappointment.
She serves up lots of these
But that's not what she wants a serve of herself!
She is in lust with the entertainment. Lyle is "Mr Thursday Night", the singer she has been drooling over for months. She loves his lyrics, they talk to her - even though he has never said more than 3 words to her. She has a knack for guessing people's favourite drinks, but she still hasn't been able to get his, and it is frustrating her no end.
Enter her two roommates, her best friend since forever, Macon, and Brody. Both are like her big brothers and tease her relentlessly about her obsession with the singer. These two are great. They are her hardest critics and fiercest defenders all wrapped up in two sexy men! And the banter between the 3 did make me laugh.
Then there is Colin. I liked Colin. Sexiness in a suit, he has been pursuing Maddy for weeks, always asking her out, he is relentless in his attention towards her. Was soooo glad when she finally said yes.
I loved the interaction between Maddy and Colin. They are so comfortable with each other, the sexual attraction is so think you can cut it with a knife. But she is still holding back a little because of Lyle.
I did feel sorry for Colin when Maddy kept him at arms length for so long. I was his biggest cheerleader the whole read. Though at times I could not blame her when his workaholic personality got in the way, he tried.
There is a funny but awkward "proposition" along the way.
After reading the synopsis, I was expecting more of a love triangle story. I was glad it wasn't though (even if there was a tinge of a possible one). The love triange story arc is getting a bit worn out these days, soooo many books I read have it.
Shaken Not Stirred is really about the journey that Maddy is taking to find herself. She has been at a loose end for a while, her parents are pressuring her in a direction she doesn't want to go. I really did like this story quite a lot.
I enjoyed being taken along on her journey to find what she wants in her professional and her personal life. Watching her find what she is looking for, even though she was not searching for love. Watching as she struggles with her head and her heart.
There is also a connection between the two love interests that was a twist that I was not expecting.
So, does Maddy get her happy ending?
Nope, for that you are going to have to read and find out for yourself.
Shaken Not Stirred is a sweet read and it was a pleasure to be involved in the blog tour.
