Review: Test Drive by Marie Harte (@MHarte_Author)

Series: Body Shop Bad Boys, #1
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Published: June 7, 2016
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 386 pages


This is a spin off of The McCauley Brothers series, about 4 brothers who find their lady loves and deal with their parents separation and eventual reunion over the quartet of books. The final and oldest brother Mike, fell for Delilah 'Del' Webster, who is a mechanic and works in her father's garage. This series is about some of the other mechanics in that garage. I was super stoked for this series, because I love me some blue collar guys. There is just something about a guy who works with his hands and doesn't mind getting dirty that just revs my engine. [See what I did here? ;)]

At first I wasn't sure how well I was going to like Johnny. After all, he seemed a bit of a player in the beginning. But the more I got to know him, the more I saw it was mostly for show. He's had a thing for Lara, the bartender/waitress at the local watering hole for ages, but hasn't done the hard press for her attention. Then one night, when she was out in the parking lot fending off the unwanted advances of her sister's ex-husband, he completely steps up and saves the day.  Plus, he was totally the sweetest thing with Lara's nieces. There was a cute little scene one night when he came over while Lara was unexpectedly babysitting them. The youngest niece has a thing for unicorns, and Johnny was willing to talk with her about them, earning him serious little girl cred. Here is a bit of dialogue that followed later that night:

“If it makes you feel any better, he’s not my type.”
“Yeah?”
“I like my men big, strong, and able to take a punch. Ones who know what unicorns are.”
His frown turned into a sexy smile. “I like pink too. I’m in touch with my feminine side. Really.” He ran a finger down her cheek. “In fact, I want to be in touch with your feminine side.”

I liked Lara a lot as well. She's working full-time and going to school to become a nurse. She helps her sister out and is very close with her parents. She lives paycheck to paycheck, but has a dream and a plan to get there. I could completely relate to her and thought she was a very likable character.

I have a feeling that I am going to be completely loving this series. The author has done a great job of taking ordinary people and giving them a hot and steamy romance that I can totally relate to. I can't wait for the next book in the series. This was a 4 star read.

Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca provided me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

GET TO KNOW THE BODY SHOP BAD BOYS
Johnny, Foley, Sam, and Lou are the rough and tumble mechanics of Webster's Garage. These reformed bad boys are used to living fast, but it's the women in their lives who take them from zero to sixty in a heartbeat.

JOHNNY
Johnny Devlin's a charmer with a checkered past. He's has had his eye on scorching-hot bartender Lara Valley for ages, but she's rejected him more than once. That doesn't mean he won't come to her aid when some dirtbag mauls her. When she asks him on a date as a no-strings-attached thank you, he can't say no. And then he's saying nothing but hell, yes.