Review: The Wild Ones

Posted August 16, 2012 by Rosette in Book Reviews / 5 Comments

Review: The Wild OnesThe Wild Ones by Michelle Leighton
Also by this author: Everything for Us, All the Pretty Lies, There's Wild, Then There's You, Pocketful of Sand, , The Dandelion, The Dandelion, The Way We Burn: A Standalone Romance...With A Twist, Tequila High (100 Proof Book 1)
Published by Penguin on August 1, 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Fiction, General, Romance
Pages: 336
Format: eBook
Goodreads
five-stars

From the author of the Bad Boy Novels Down to You and Up to MePassion as hot as midnight in the South and love as wild as the horses they tame.The darling daughter of a champion Thoroughbred breeder, Camille “Cami” Hines has a pedigree that rivals some of her father’s best horses. Other than feeling a little suffocated at times, Cami thought she was happy with her boyfriend, her life and her future—until she met Patrick Henley.“Trick” blurs the lines between what Cami wants and what is expected of her—and he just happens to be so sexy she can’t keep her hands off him. While they both know that Trick would lose his much needed job on the ranch if anyone finds out, they can’t resist the lure of their scorchingly hot encounters.But when Trick stumbles upon a note from his father, it triggers a series of revelations that could ruin what he and Cami have worked so hard to overcome. It turns out there’s more to Trick’s presence at the ranch than either of them knew, and secrets with the power to tear them apart…

Title: The Wild Ones
Author: M. Leighton
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Grade/Rating: 5 out of 5

You know you have a “good read” when fans start making up their very own oh-so- yummy names and phrases of the lead male character. “Trickalicious,” “He’s my treat,” and the ever popular “Pick Treat Pick Treat” abounds on the pages of Twitter. Gobs and gobs of five-star ratings reside on Amazon, and Miss Leighton, the author, has countless fans thanking her for such an intensely passionate book.

This type of story is as old as Shakespeare himself, and who doesn’t love ‘ole Shakespeare, right?

Miss Leighton has certainly cooked herself a wonderful recipe by mixing a lot of sensuality and some hot and spicy parts as well! Take two lovers from different social classes, mix in opposing forces that threaten to keep them apart, add some unforgettable characters, and that makes for one great story.

From the very beginning the story takes a hold of you. Sometimes it takes awhile for a reader to become thoroughly engaged in their characters; but from page one, Miss Leighton defines them straight away.

Patrick Henley, aka Trick, is one cowboy who just oozes with sexuality. His laissez faire and flirtatious attitude with Cami, right from the beginning of the book mind you, is worthy of a nice pink blush. Trick is like a “delicious, toe-curling, hair-raising, belly-stirring lightening.” He’s a hardworking man taking care of a younger sister as well as his single mother. And honestly, who wouldn’t love a boy that takes care of his mama? He’s given a lot up in his life for his mother and sister. Throughout the story, the reader wonders if he has to give up his own happiness for the sake of his family’s security. His character is both selfless and resolute. How can he get much better do you ask? Well, he plays a guitar, he can sing, and he rides horses… hence the oozing!

His love interest is Cami, who has an unavoidable attraction to Trick. Try as she might to be the “right” kind of girl and to love the “right” kind of guy, her heart seems to only beat for Trick. They have a passion that keeps pushing them together. No longer able to remain apart, they meet together in secrecy. Their tenderness extends to the horses they love; and on one exquisite weekend, Trick confides his dreams to the woman he wants to share his future with.

But it’s not all hearts and flowers. Yes, there’s a sweetness to the story that tugs at your heart, but the emotionally charged moments could yank it right out of your chest as well. The book has its fair share of poignant episodes, especially with the mystery surrounding Trick and Cami, which of course, they are oblivious to. Once that mysterious shroud is unveiled, watch out. Talk about dropping a bomb in the middle of my Nook! The secret that is exposed has the power to tear them apart and the journey towards finding out what is most important to them proves agonizing to say the least.
But please do not let this keep you from reading Trick and Cami’s story. The turmoil Miss Leighton weaves only causes the reader to be pulled further in until you are completely and irrevocably invested in Trick and Cami’s outcome. I assure you, the reader will feel the lingering aftermath of Trick and Cami’s love affair well after you’re done reading this book.

Lastly, the POV. I really am not a first person point of view kind of girl. Not that I won’t read one mind you. There are a lot of great first person POV books out there. But sometimes it sets limitations for me. I want to be able to know what everyone is thinking, or feeling, and what everyone is looking at and why. So I was a bit hesitant when I saw the “I” word. But wow, can I just say what a great job Miss Leighton does when writing in the first person. It was really quite engaging due to the fact Miss Leighton gave the viewpoint of both Cami and Trick. For a female author to write as a female character the job can be effortless. But to write as a male– that’s a little more challenging. Miss Leighton, however, does it with ease, and may I just say that she has a most excellent guy “voice.” Quite complimentary, I assure you!

There are so many endearing parts to this book. And it isn’t just the main love interest. Secondary characters such Drogheda, Rusty, and her most awesome and loyal girlfriend, Jenna, make this book very tangible to me.
It was such a “treat” to read this book. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself). I am anxiously awaiting any news of any future projects Miss Leighton might have up her talented sleeves.

You have my permission to return ogling the front cover of the book…and the cover is just plain heavenly by the way!

Just. A. Little. Bit. Lower. Y’all know what I mean;-)

But until then, please enjoy the video that I placed here in honor of Trick and Cami’s love story. I hope it does the book justice.

There are some lines from the book embedded into the video. So just a forewarning, in case you may feel that this could be a spoiler for you. If you get a chance, stop over to see Michelle at her “house” where you can peruse all her lovely books at: http://mleightonbooks.blogspot.com.au

five-stars

About Michelle Leighton

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author M. Leighton is a native of Ohio. She relocated to the warmer climates of the South, where she can be near the water all summer and miss the snow all winter. Possessed of an overactive imagination from early in her childhood, Michelle finally found an acceptable outlet for her fantastical visions: literary fiction. Having written over a dozen novels, these days Michelle enjoys letting her mind wander to more romantic settings with sexy Southern guys, much like the one she married and the ones you’ll find in her latest books. When her thoughts aren’t roaming in that direction, she’ll be riding horses, swimming in ponds and experiencing life on a ranch, all without leaving the cozy comfort of her office.

5 responses to “Review: The Wild Ones

    • Thanks so much Bethany! I really loved it as well. Have you read her other books? I just recently finished Fragile. It’s not very long and it was so very sweet. Give it a try, I bet you’ll love it. Happy Reading!

  1. Alyssa Susanna

    Such a great book. I love The Wild Ones! I’ve read a couple of her other books, but they were Young Adult. I’m on to Madly now! Great review!

    • rozette69

      Thanks so much Alyssa! Glad you liked it. Have you read Fragile? That was another great YA book! I haven’t read Madly yet, tell me how you like it. Have an awesome Hump day!

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