Book Review: Making Waves by Tawna Fenske

SUMMARY:  When Alex Bradshaw's unscrupulous boss kicks him to the curb after 20 faithful years as an executive with the world's largest shipping company, he sets out to reclaim his dignity and his pension. Assembling a team of fellow corporate castoffs, he sails to the Caribbean to intercept an illegal diamond shipment. None of them counted on quirky blonde stowaway Juli Flynn, who has a perplexing array of talents, a few big secrets, and an intoxicating romantic chemistry with Alex...


OPINION: 5 STARS

The Short Version:
Quirky, sexy and funny, Making Waves is definitely a book to escape in. Some of the best sexual tension around drives this book, but there is also plenty of plot and great characters to keep readers engaged. Juli is an easy character to like, her idiosyncrasies making her relatable and her seemingly dry sense of humor sparks some of the most hilarious moments of the book. Coupled with a sexy guy who has his own emotional depth, Making Waves definitely will be a hit with romance readers all over.

The Extended Version:
Juli has a very interesting view on the world, the reasons for which are revealed at the perfect moments throughout the book. Harboring secrets of her own, yet still very open about many things, Juli makes for a great heroine and someone readers will root for. Ignited in all the best ways by Alex, and completely able to taunt him and play his games, Juli is unique enough to be memorable while still having enough qualities that female readers can picture themselves in the book.

Alex is charming yet seemingly moody, but his own reasons are laid on the table pretty early. A temporary pirate, and tempted by Juli almost to his detriment, Alex is a fantastically well done character with plenty about him to swoon over. Perceptive and intelligent, Alex is far more than just a love interest, and his own role in the book has a great impact and his characterization has a smooth progression.

The remaining cast consists mostly of Alex’s three friends on the mission with him, and the way each reacts not only to Juli’s unexpected presence but her personality and everything else goes far to build their own personalities. With plenty of banter between them, and numerous moments that amp up the already potent sexual tension, this is a cast that is well designed and works beautifully together.

The plot has a great pace, allowing for plenty of lust-driven moments that will make readers drool, without letting the story itself be stalled or washed out. Intricate in a lot of ways, there is a certain element of mystery that helps drive the plot while still keeping things quirky and funny. Having a great mix of internal and external motivations, and throwing several twists at the reader that come seemingly out of nowhere, Fenske’s raw talent shines through strongly.

As with any good romance, Fenske does a remarkable job of writing the sexual tension and giving readers just enough pay out to really just make them want more. Hysterical throughout, but unafraid to let in emotions both rough and fun, this one definitely doesn’t rely only on a few well timed kisses and roving hands to drive it or make it something to be pulled off the shelf repeatedly. Engaging in more ways than one, and about as lust-inducing as any standard foreplay, Making Waves definitely can run up against even the best of the romance genre.

Details:

Source: ARC received from publisher in exchange for an honest review 

Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages 

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Publication Date: August 1, 2011