Book Sojourner: Review: Between the Sheets by Molly O'Keefe

Between the Sheets by Molly O'Keefe

(Boys of Bishop #3)

July 29, 2014

Bantam publishing

352 pages

Genre: Contemporary Romance 18+

(Contains: detailed sex, mature language, child abuse references)

Source: eARC from publisher for Honest review

Synopsis:

After years of running, Wyatt Svenson has now parked himself in Bishop, Arkansas, trying to do the right thing and parent a son he didn’t even know he had until recently. Over six feet tall and packed with muscles and power, Ty likes to get his hands dirty, fixing his motorcycle at night and keeping his mind away from the mistakes he’s made. Then his pretty neighbor shows up on his driveway, doesn’t bother to introduce herself, and complains about the noise. First impression? She should loosen up. Funny that she turns out to be his son’s elementary school art teacher—and the only one willing to help his troubled boy. Ty needs her. In more ways than one.

Though Shelby Monroe is safe in her structured life, she is drawn to Ty’s bad-boy edge and rugged sexuality. What if she just lets it all go: her worries about her mother, her fear of heartbreak, and her tight self control? What if she grabs Ty and takes a ride on the wild side? “What if” becomes reality—intense, exhilarating . . . and addictive. But Ty wants more than a secret affair. He wants it all with Shelby. But will she take a chance and open her heart? Ty is determined to convince Shelby to take the biggest risk of her life: on him.

My Review:

Between the Sheets was a great read. But don't let the cover fool you. Or the title. Both of which I feel do an injustice to this book and don't represent the wonderful depths and incredibly insightful read that this book is. Because this is more than just a romance or a romp in the sheets. This is a multi-layered, multi-faceted story about love, life, family and community.

I really felt pulled into the story of Shelby and Ty. I loved getting to know Ty and Shelby. They both have painful pasts and have dealt with them similarly in some respects and differently in others. Watching how they open (or don't open) up to each other was lovely at times and painful at others. But the way their story progressed was thoughtful, edgy, and tender - a strange combination that works - and I could see the specialness of Ty and Shelby's connection (even when Shelby didn't want to).

The romance is quite complex, then the integration of so many other aspects of life really created a full and complete story. There are incredible perspectives of love, loss, abuse, overcoming, second chances, starting over, healing the past, embracing the future, finding yourself - all blended tenderly and wrapped up into the blooming of a beautiful family. I especially enjoyed watching the progression Ty and Casey's relationship.

The secondary characters are essential to this story. We get to see old favorites from the previous books. But Casey, Ty's son, is a particular favorite of mine. His story is heartbreaking yet hopeful and healing, and I loved him and his perspective. Alzheimer's Disease is also sensitively dealt with in regards to Shelby's mom, and I really respected the way it was approached and handled.

Between the Sheets is a great addition to this series, but can easily be read as a standalone. I still haven't read the first book of the series, but look forward to going back to it. But regardless, Between the Sheets is a beautiful story of love and healing, and I look forward to more books by Molly O'Keefe.

4-1/2 STARS

Book Links:

AMAZON * GOODREADS

BOYS OF BISHOP Series: