Review: Off Base by Tessa Bailey and Sophie Jordan

Title: Off Base
By: Tessa Bailey and Sophie Jordan
My Copy: Amazon.com
The BookWhisperer's Rating: 

OFF BASE: Kenna and Beck

By Tessa Bailey

A welcome home he never expected...and will never forget...

When Kenna Sutton is tasked with driving home newly returned Beck “True Blue” Collier, she expects the strategic Army mastermind to be a pasty number cruncher. Never at a loss for words, Kenna is nonetheless rendered speechless by the gorgeous, inexperienced and tightly-wound Army major that lands in her passenger seat. Outraged by Beck’s lack of a welcome home after seven long years overseas, Kenna takes matters into her own hands, giving Beck something he’s only ever fantasized about in his bunk.

Beck has never shied away from a test of will and Kenna gives new meaning to the word challenge. One problem? Kenna’s father is the lieutenant general presenting Beck with the Silver Star and Beck is determined to treat Kenna with the respect she deserves, even if her eyes beg Beck to act out his most secret desires with her. Desires he's always been told were the work of the devil. But how long can one lonely, starving man hope to resist the woman he craves?

We all know that I am a huge Tessa Bailey fan.  I have loved all of her books so it pains me to say that I had a hard time with Kenna and Beck’s story. 

For some reason, I couldn’t fall in love with the characters or with them together.  It just seemed so off – I think it was because Beck wasn’t as hard-core alpha male like all the other Bailey men.  He was a good ole’ country boy from Georgia, who had great manners and treated Kenna with the upmost respect.  (Now, don’t freak out because men should treat women with respect –I guess I would have to say that he was so polite and considerate and not was I was used to and prepared for.)

That doesn’t mean that this story wasn’t great, because it was.  Kenna and Beck’s story set up Huntley and Cullen’s story, which I will cover down below.  

OFF BASE: Huntley and Cullen

By Sophie Jordan

Being a good girl has its drawbacks...

Huntley Collier, an emergency room nurse and all-around do-gooder, is tired of living in the friend zone. Cullen Brooks was given the job of babysitting Huntley when her brother – his best friend – deployed. But their friendly coffeehouse hangouts and TV marathons leave her wanting more. When one crazy night leads to too many drinks and an explosion of long-denied lust, Huntley's dreams become a reality. And reality is one hot, wild place she never wants to leave.

But only a good girl can bring down a bad boy...

Known as Sullen Cullen around Black Rock, Cullen Brooks doesn’t have many friends, but Huntley is one of them … and despite his decidedly unfriendly fantasies of the curvy blonde, she is far too sweet for his darker tastes. Keeping his hands off is easier said than done, however, when demure, little Huntley responds to his touch like the wildcat he never expected...and can't stop pursuing, despite his better judgment. But when Cullen suddenly faces losing her, will this bad boy risk it all to keep his good girl?

This story I got into.  After Beck drops the bomb on how Cullen’s and his best friend died overseas, Sullen Cullen sulks and who better to pull him out of his hole than Huntley (which oddly enough, I loved her name.)  Driving him home after his one too many drinks leads to a hot little moment of wanted touchy time.  However, Cullen’s one just while Beck was away was to watch over sweet little Huntley so he falls back but can’t stay away for too long.

To me, Huntley and Cullen were the perfect pair together.  Friends at first and then transitioning into lovers (hot lovers at that), they both slowly open up and find out that there is something more than just the physical attraction to each other. And come to find out, both need a little push to know how truly perfect they are together and that push comes from the most surprising characters. 

What I loved the most was the fact that Cullen would meet Huntley at the coffee shop, after her trip back from the library, and just sit with her while she read.  Where can I find a guy like that?